Fake Residential Certificate Scandal in Patna Leads to Punitive Measures and Tech Upgrades

In response to the fraudulent issuance of a residential certificate under the alias “Dog Babu,” Patna authorities have initiated a series of actions. The Masaurhi revenue officer faces suspension, and an IT Assistant has been removed from service for their role in the matter. The Patna District Magistrate, based on findings of a probe into the fraudulent certificate, recommended the suspension of the revenue officer and removal of the IT Assistant who had failed to ensure proper verification. The government intervened following media reports about the fake certificate. The investigation revealed that the online application used the Aadhaar of a woman from Delhi and misused someone else’s identity. Consequently, an FIR has been lodged against the Revenue Officer, IT Manager, and the applicant at the Masaurhi police station. Police are actively investigating the applicant’s misuse of identity and fraudulent self-declaration. The controversial residential certificate has been canceled. To prevent future occurrences, the Bihar Prashashnik Sudhar Mission Society has directed all District Magistrates to strictly adhere to the verification process on the NIC’s Service Plus platform. The Society will be implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to bolster the system and prevent any form of manipulation.