A major irregularity has surfaced in Haldwani, revealing how a non-existent society had been issuing recommendations for permanent residence, caste and other certificates for nearly 19 years. Despite having no legal status or registration for almost two decades, forged letters were used to secure official documents for numerous individuals. Following the discovery, authorities have ordered an FIR against the man running this illegal operation. All related documents have been sealed.
During verification of permanent residence certificates, SDM Rahul Shah found an application attached with a letter purportedly issued by “Anjuman Momin Ansar, Azadnagar Haldwani.” However, when officials checked the registered address, no such society was found. Further inquiry revealed that a shopkeeper, Rais Ahmed Ansari from Sahukara Line, had been illegally issuing these recommendation letters using the society’s name since 2007.
When the investigation team reached his shop, Ansari confessed to running this operation for years. He failed to produce any registration documents or member lists for the so-called society. The SDM instructed the Tehsildar to file an FIR against him and ordered verification of all certificates obtained using these forged recommendations. Officials are also examining other activities being conducted under the society’s name.
The SDM revealed that the society has been inactive since 2007, and both its president and general secretary are deceased. Despite this, an unauthorized individual continued to issue certificates without any legal authority. Many people used these fraudulent letters to obtain caste, birth and permanent residence documents—none of which such a society is legally empowered to provide.
The investigation has also uncovered several inconsistencies in applications. Some forms included fake phone numbers, incorrect Aadhaar details or mismatched entries. In one case, the same phone number appeared in place of both Aadhaar and mobile number. When officials called the number for verification, the person responded saying they had never applied for any certificate.
Investigators also found electricity and water bills where the applicant’s name and the address on the bill did not match. Verification is now being carried out with the Electricity Department and Jal Sansthan to confirm the authenticity of these documents.
Haldwani Tehsil is scrutinising 1,200 certificates, of which around 200 have been checked so far. Many discrepancies have already been found. Officials say the actual number of cancelled certificates will be known only after the full verification process.
— Rahul Shah, SDM Haldwani
