RAMECHHAP, Jan 5: The District Administration Office (DAO), Ramechhap, on Friday handed three persons to police for investigation, after they were found to have forged documents to get a citizenship certificate. 
 
A man from Morang, who acquired citizenship in this fashion by claiming to be the son of Dunimaya Sunuwar of Bhuji, Umakunda Rural Municipality-7, is in police custody now. Police have also arrested Hari Sunuwar of Bhuji for apparently plotting the forgery. Dunimaya, the fake mother, too has been kept in custody for further investigation. As per the details provided by DAO, these people had acquired a citizenship on June 4, 2017.  Sitaram Thapa, former assistant chief of DAO had signed and issued the citizenship.
 
It has been found that the accused had presented fake documents to the ward office for the recommendation as well.  Rudramani Newar, ward chief of Umakunda Rural Municipality-7, Bhuji had recommended to the DAO to issue the citizenship certificate which has been issued in the name of Nishan Sunuwar.  
 
Reportedly, the main accused wanted to participate in the British Army selection process but lacked the citizenship certificate. Hari Sunuwar who used to run preparation classes for the British Army selection process made up his mind to help him. According to Ward Chief Rudramani Newar, Dunimaya was promised cash by the main accused if he would be selected.  She revealed this truth to ward chief later. "I got to know about the forgery only later," said Newar. After finding the truth, the ward chief tried to find the three of them and later informed DAO and police for investigation. As per the law, even the government officer wrongly recommending for citizenship should be held for investigation but Newar is free so far. 
 Jagadish Mishra, Information Officer at DAO informed Republica that stern action will be taken against all three of them if their crime is proved. On the flipside, this incident has drawn the attention of all 64 wards of 2 municipalities and six rural municipalities in the district. In fact, this has been a lesson for all the ward chiefs.
 
According to DAO officials, if the newly elected representatives don't become strict and do their jobs negligently, such incidents will repeat in the future as well. 

 
• 3 held
 
• forgery
 
• citizenship