Siliguri, 23rd July: Police conducted a raid at Siliguri Municipal Corporation on Thursday as part of an investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption in the issuance of birth and death certificates.
Reportedly, a police team reached the Municipal Corporation in the morning and began examining various documents. A search was also conducted in the record room, where officials checked old files and registers.
According to sources, records related to births and deaths preserved since 1956 are being examined. Investigators are scrutinising old registers, application forms, registration documents and other related records to determine whether any fake documents, incorrect registrations or certificates issued in violation of rules are involved.
Police have also reportedly carried out inspections at Siliguri District Hospital and Dabgram Gram Panchayat office. However, police have not issued any official statement regarding the investigation so far.
The investigation comes amid allegations of irregularities in birth and death certificates during the SIR process of the voter list in the state. Based on such allegations, document verification and investigations are underway in various municipal bodies and panchayat offices across different districts.
Former opposition leader of Siliguri Municipal Corporation Amit Jain said that police must have received specific information or complaints, which led to the inspection of documents at the civic body.
Meanwhile, former SMC chairman Pratul Chakraborty claimed that birth and death certificates issued during his tenure were processed strictly according to rules and there were no irregularities.
Former Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb, however, refused to comment on the matter. The incident has sparked discussions in political and administrative circles.