Kolkata, 4 March (H.S.) - In a significant breakthrough, Kolkata Police have uncovered a fake birth certificate racket with deep-rooted links to Bihar. During interrogation of a key suspect, investigators learned that counterfeit birth certificates were being produced in Bihar in exchange for money. Authorities are now considering expanding their probe to Bihar to dismantle the wider network behind the fraud.

The investigation began when the passport department of Kolkata Police detected discrepancies in the documents of six to seven applicants during routine verification. Further scrutiny revealed that the birth certificates submitted were forged. Acting swiftly, police arrested a man identified as Laxman Kumar.

During questioning, Laxman confessed that he had obtained the fake documents through a relative, who arranged them from Bihar for a fee. This revelation has shifted the focus of the investigation, raising suspicions that a larger, organized network is operating across state borders.

Police officials suspect that touts operating near passport offices may be actively involved in facilitating these fake documents as part of an organized syndicate. With Laxman’s testimony, investigators believe they are now closer to identifying others involved in the racket and possibly exposing a wider criminal operation.

Kolkata Police’s Security Control Organisation is currently leading the investigation. Plans are reportedly underway to conduct raids in Bihar, aiming to uncover the source of these forged certificates and dismantle the network involved in their production and distribution.

Hindusthan Samachar / S P Singh