Fake SC/ST certificates: SC notices to centre, welfare ministry

New Delhi, Apr 24 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to the Centre and the secretary, ministry of social welfare and the secretary, home, governmet of NCT OF Delhi on a petition seeking CBI inquiry into massive racket of lakhs getting government jobs on the basis of bogus and fake SC/ST certificates.

A bench comprising Mrs Justice Ruma Pal, Mr Justice A.K. Mathur and Mr Justice C.K. Thakker issued notices after hearing the petitioner Chandeshwar Prasad who contended that Delhi high court wrongly disposed off his petition after CBI pleaded that they did not have sufficient staff to investigate the case in details.

According to the petitioner at present about 5 to 10 lakh persons are presently employed in SC/ST Category in government departments and other related departments such as Delhi Administrationj, DDA, MCD, NDMC, AIIMS schools, colleges and even in courts from peon to the IAS level.

CBI in its status report dated Jan. 12,2005 said that there were 27653 employees who have secured jobs in scheduled tribe category. Out of these 273 cases were examined and 35 certificates were found forged.

The petitioner has also alleged that from the report it seemed that the government was not interested in carrying out investigations in the scandal.

The petitioner has also contended that it was a serious matter and required thorough investigation not only from 1995 to 2000 but from 1965 onwards to unearth the scandal as the petitioner who hails from Bihar himself bought the ST certificate for Rs 35.

UNI/AKS/SC RP HT1917