Fake ‘death certificates’ in names of Minister, MLA

Miscreants gained entry into Corporation computer room twice

In a shocking incident that made a mockery of a recently launched online facility at the Corporation office here, some miscreants have “issued” fake death certificates in the names of State Minister for Cooperation ‘Sellur’ K. Raju and CPI(M) MLA from Madurai South R. Annadurai.

The new online facility to issue birth and death certificates was launched in the Corporation only on September 11 with much fanfare.

Following a complaint from City Health Officer S. Yasodamani, Commissioner of Police Sanjay Mathur directed the Cyber Crime Police to register a case on Saturday.

According to the complainant, on August 2 and August 23, 2013, some unidentified persons had gained entry into the computer room in the Corporation office in Anna Maaligai here and issued fake death certificates in the names of Mr. Raju and Mr. Annadurai through the online facility.

The application for the fake death certificate for the MLA stored in the computer system had the date of death filled in as 26.7.2006 with the address mentioned as Kochadai, Madurai. The date of death mentioned in the application for Mr. Raju was 26.7.2007, while the address was mentioned as No. 1 A Palam Station Road, Sellur, Madurai. The complainant stated that the digital signatures in the applications were fake. The police have registered cases under Sections 65 and 66 (c) of the Information Technology Act, 2008, and Section 466 of the Indian Penal Code.

A reliable source in the Corporation said the officials would examine the loopholes in the system and take corrective measures. When attempts were made to contact Corporation Commissioner R. Nanthagopal, his office staff said he had gone to Chennai.

The MLA told reporters that he was shocked over the incident, and he would demand a thorough probe by the police to bring the culprits to book.

The AIADMK functionaries, including Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa, preferred not to comment on the issue. “We are embarrassed by the act,” a ruling party MLA close to the Minister said on condition of anonymity.