Delhi court orders FIR to investigate allegation of forgery against first transgender councillor
The court has approved Varuna Devi's application, directing the SHO of Sultanpuri to register an FIR and conduct a thorough investigation. "This order does not direct the immediate arrest of the accused.
Rohini District Court has instructed Delhi Police to register an FIR and thoroughly investigate allegations of forgery against Bobi Kinnar, Delhi's first transgender councillor. This follows two contradictory reports regarding a caste certificate issued to Kinnar from the Tehsildar office in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh.
Complaint filed by election rival
The complaint was lodged by Varuna Devi, who lost the MCD election to Kinnar. Devi alleges that Kinnar used a forged caste certificate from Gautam Budh Nagar, UP, dated March 2017, to obtain a new certificate in Delhi, enabling her to contest in the Sultanpuri ward, reserved for women from the SC community.
Contradictory reports surface
Judicial Magistrate Sanya Dalal noted the conflicting reports from the Tehsildar's office. "Two reports on the same certificate have been presented by the same office, and they are completely contradictory," Dalal said. Given these discrepancies, a detailed investigation is necessary to uncover the truth, she added.
Investigation ordered
The court has approved Varuna Devi's application, directing the SHO of Sultanpuri to register an FIR and conduct a thorough investigation. "This order does not direct the immediate arrest of the accused. The police should first investigate and determine if any offence has been committed," the court clarified.
Allegations of false certification
Devi claims that a false caste certificate was obtained from Tehsildar District Gautam Budh Nagar on March 3, 2017, and a second certificate was issued in Delhi within five days. She supported her complaint with a report from a Lekhpal and an affidavit.
Court’s observations
The court considered multiple reports, including one from Tehsildar Dadri dated July 3, 2023, stating the certificate was unavailable during an online verification. Additionally, the applicant was not found at the listed address, and three individuals confirmed this during the investigation. However, another report confirmed the certificate's issuance from Tehsildar Dadri.
Accusations against Kinnar
Devi contends that Kinnar falsely presented herself as a woman from the SC community to secure her nomination. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on August 9.
