The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has initiated legal proceedings against three individuals, including a government election officer, on charges of fabricating birth registration and national identity cards using counterfeit information. The case underscores ongoing concerns over the integrity of vital civil documents.
The accused have been identified as Muhammad Ashraful Alam, who previously served as the Additional Election Officer of Feni District; Pintu Kumar Dey, a former birth registration assistant for Ward No. 8 under the Chattogram City Corporation; and Abdul Jalil, a resident of Cox's Bazar.
The case was formally lodged at the ACC Chattogram Integrated District Office-1 on Wednesday by Assistant Director Ang T Chowdhury from the commission's Chittagong Divisional Office. Deputy Director Subel Ahmed confirmed the filing, stating that the accused colluded to forge state documents through fraud and deception. He added that the investigation remains open and could expand if evidence implicates further individuals.
According to the complaint, the alleged fraud began in July 2011 when Abdul Jalil, who lacks any valid citizenship documents, obtained a fraudulent birth certificate with the assistance of Pintu Kumar Dey. The scheme continued in May 2017 when Jalil renewed this birth certificate using a forged signature and a counterfeit certification document. Subsequently, he used these fabricated papers to secure a national identity card from the election office, providing false personal and address details. Notably, the fields for his parents' and wife's information on the Election Commission form were left blank.
An investigation revealed that no official records exist for Abdul Jalil's birth, citizenship, or his parents. Furthermore, the addresses listed as his permanent and current residence on the ID application were verified to be non-existent. The ACC's forensic laboratory later confirmed that the signatures on the birth certificate were forgeries, solidifying the evidence against the accused.
The case has been filed under Sections 420/467/468/471/109 of the Penal Code, which pertain to cheating, forgery of valuable securities, and forgery for the purpose of cheating, alongside Section 5(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1947.
