Cheryala: Police in Siddipet district have booked Panchayat Secretary Bhukya Madhu and a private individual named Ramesh after death certificates surfaced in the names of living people in Rampur, Cheryala mandal. Officials have suspended Madhu. The case has drawn attention because panchayat staff normally issue death certificates only for people who have died.
Ramesh, a young man who was friendly with Madhu while Madhu worked as Rampur Panchayat Secretary, ended up with the panchayat’s digital key, user ID, password and dongle. He used the digital key to issue death certificates to 21 people and birth certificates to three others. He did so without the secretary’s knowledge.
The certificates could help people claim insurance money, buy land and handle other matters. The scheme ran from February to October this year.
Certificates issued from a Hyderabad internet centre
Ramesh reportedly began issuing the certificates from the Boynapalli Internet Center in Hyderabad. He issued certificates to three of his own family members in Rampur. He also issued them to individuals in Janagama district, Boynapalli, Peerjadiguda and other areas of Hyderabad.
When the matter came to light, the Collector ordered the MPDO to file a complaint against the GP secretary and the private individual. MPDO Sudheer filed the complaint, and SI Apoorva Reddy registered a case against both men. The SI said police are interrogating Madhu and searching for Ramesh.