HYDERABAD: In Siddipet district, the Cherial police have intensified their search for a suspect involved in the fake death certificate scam. The suspect, who operates an internet centre in Bowenpally, allegedly obtained death certificates for 21 individuals — all of whom are still alive — and used them to file insurance claims, according to police suspicions.
The suspect Ramesh has been on the run since the scam came to light. Cherial sub-inspector (SI) Apurva Reddy informed Deccan Chronicle that they are conducting searches in Musheerabad, where the accused resides, as well as in the Bowenpally area, where he operates his internet centre.
Ramesh needed a birth certificate and set off for his native village, Rampur, which is located in the Cherial mandal of Siddipet district. Upon reaching Rampur, he met Bhukya Madhu, who serves as the Gram Panchayat secretary there.
A friendship developed between the two and Ramesh, who had initially approached the official for a birth certificate, ended up initiating the process for a death certificate instead. As soon as the idea for this forgery occurred to him, he set it into motion. To facilitate the creation of the fake death certificate, Madhu provided Ramesh with his digital key, user ID, and password, and even handed over the actual dongle as a gesture of their friendship.
The issue involving the fake death certificates has spread across Jangaon, Palakurthi, Elkathurthy, and Hyderabad. The SI stated that they are currently investigating how many individuals in these areas are actually alive and how many have passed away.
Ramesh used the digital key to issue death certificates for 21 individuals and birth certificates for three others. These documents—often used for purposes such as insurance claims and land transactions — were issued by Ramesh between February and October of this year. Following a complaint filed by MPDO Sudheer, Cherial SI Apoorva Reddy registered a case against two individuals. Secretary Madhu is currently being questioned.
However, it has been identified that two of the 21 certificates belong to Ramesh’s grandfather and grandmother; both have been confirmed as deceased. The SI stated that teams have been dispatched to various locations to conduct inquiries regarding the remaining certificates. Four of the certificates are linked to Jangaon.
Police investigations have revealed that a single “fancy” number was used to apply for all the certificates online. The same fancy number was utilised for every certificate. In connection with this case, the secretary, Madhu, has been suspended from his job.
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