Rampant issuance of residence certificates: Investigation by CID nearing completion

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI : The Gauhati High Court granted more time to the State CID, as sought, to thoroughly investigate the cases of a section of married women misusing the residence certificates issued to them by gaon burhas and gaon panchayats during the NRC update. A section of such women, who are declared foreigners, are misusing such certificates as their residential proofs to challenge FT (Foreigners Tribunal) judgements in the Gauhati High Court.

The NRC authorities allowed gaon burhas and gaon panchayats to issue residence certificates to married women to help them establish links between the claimant and legacy persons. Due to the lack of such certificates, many married women faced difficulties getting their names enrolled in the NRC.

However, it was specifically mentioned that such certificates would be valid only for establishing their legacy linkage. However, the gaon burhas and gaon panchayats issued such certificates in a rampant way without verifying the women’s other related documents. The million-dollar question now is: Why did the gaon burhas and gaon panchayats issue such certificates without verifying other documents? Did they do it under pressure from vested interest circles or to mint money unscrupulously?

In a writ petition filed in the court of Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Baruah and Justice Nelson Sailo by a woman who had been declared a foreigner by Bihpuria Gormur FT, it came to light of the bench that, along with other documents, the woman attached the certificate issued to her by a gaon burha during the NRC update. Smelling a rat, the High Court asked the CID to inquire into the matter.

During their preliminary investigations, the CID came out with a report that there were large-scale anomalies in the issuance of certificates to married women in the run-up to the NRC update.

The High Court then asked the CID to investigate the matter all over the state and submit the report by June 12, 2023. On June 12, the CID informed the High Court that they were investigating such cases but that filing the report would take three more weeks. And the High Court allowed the time.

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