Rajendra Prasad Mohapatra

As the investigation into the mega educational certificate racket in Bolangir district picks up steam, the scam looks larger than it appeared earlier.

After postal, cooperative society and education departments, the deep roots of the fake certificate scam have now been unearthed in politics as well.

The Sarpanch of Budhabal Gram Panchayat under Saintala block in the district has allegedly submitted a fake School Leaving Certificate (SLC) during the filing of his nomination.

The Sarpanch, Jugalal Majhi, allegedly furnished the SLC during his notification paper filing in the last panchayat election. He mentioned his father-in-law’s name instead of his father’s name in the nomination paper. The information has been obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) application.

Also Read | Bolangir Fake Certificate Racket: More Arrests Likely, Says Crime Branch DSP

However, no action has been taken against the Sarpanch despite several allegations and complaints before the higher authorities, it was alleged. 

“We came to know through RTI that Jugalal Majhi is not a student of the school of which he has produced the School Leaving Certificate during the filing of his nomination paper. The headmaster of the school revealed that Jugalal was not a student of the school. No action has been taken against the Sarpanch despite several complaints before the higher authorities,” said complainant Samuel Nanda.

“Fake certificate rackets are rampant in Bolangir. It is expected that the Sarpanch might have got the certificate from them. A proper investigation into the incident should be carried out,” he added.

  • Reported by:
  • MANARANJAN JOSHI
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