Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
An AIMIM corporator’s attempt to show his own third child as his brother’s in order to contest the municipal corporation election has proved costly for him. A case has been registered at the City Chowk police station against the corporator along with seven others, including a school headmaster who allegedly issued a forged bonafide certificate. The corporator, identified as Mehraj Khan Jalal Khan, has reportedly been arrested, police said.
The accused include corporator, his wife Nilofer Mehraj Khan, his brother Minhaj Khan Jalal Khan, sister-in-law Iqra Minhaj Khan, headmaster Iliyas Kadir Siddiqui, friend Sajju Ustad, and a minor.
According to the complaint made by assistant police inspector (API) Manisha Hiwrale, the investigation began in a separate serious case involving a minor. When the minor was to be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board, police sought identity documents from his relatives. During verification, it was found that the minor was studying at Wise English School, Dilras Colony.
Police then contacted the school for a bonafide certificate, which the headmaster issued based on the name mentioned in the Aadhaar Card. The minor was later produced before the board and sent to a child care home.
However, further investigation revealed discrepancies in the school records, showing a different father’s name in the discharge register. It was also found that corporator Mehraj Khan had declared only two children in his election affidavit, while concealing the existence of a third child.
Police stated that forged documents, including Aadhaar cards, school certificates, and birth records, were allegedly created to mislead authorities and obtain undue advantage in the election process. A case was subsequently registered by the police themselves. Further investigation is being carried out by API Manoj Shinde.
Corporator’s post under threat
With the third child now confirmed, Mehraj Khan’s position as corporator is likely to come under legal scrutiny. As per rules for local body elections, candidates with more than two children are disqualified, which could put his membership at risk.