12 days on, no FIR registered against accused shopkeepers

ON OCTOBER 25, TARN TARAN SUBDIVISIONAL MAGISTRATE AMANDEEP KAUR HAD SEIZED 25 FAKE FORMS PROMISING CASH BENEFITS UNDER THE SCHEME, FROM FOUR DIFFERENT SHOPS

TARN TARAN: Even after 12 days since a team, led by Tarn Taran sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Amandeep Kaur, had seized around 25 fake government forms promising cash benefits under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme from four shops in the city, the local police is yet to register a first information report (FIR) against the accused.

The sub-divisional magistrate said that she had prepared a report after seizing the fake forms.

The report was sent to deputy superintendent of police (DSP city) Pyara Singh for taking the required police action, she said.

On November 1, the public relations (PR) department released a press note on the name of deputy commissioner (DC) Pardeep Kumar Sabharwal, claiming that an FIR has already been lodged against the accused involved in the sales of the fake forms.

The deputy commissioner had, then, said that FIR has been registered against the shopkeepers.

The DSP said that he has marked an inquiry into the matter to the station house officer (SHO) Harit Sharma of the city police station.

He said that after probe, action will be taken against the accused.

On October 25, the sub-divisional magistrate had pointed out names of at least four shops in the city, from where people had purchased the fake forms.

Social activist Harikrishan Arora said, “Police is working under political pressure. That is the reason behind the inaction.”

Arora added that despite the sub-divisional magistrate’s report and the DC’S instruction, no action has been taken.

However, in April, the central government had ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the complaints regarding alleged fake forms filled by people from different states under the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ scheme to avail cash benefits.

ADMN LAUNCHES DRIVE TO SCOTCH RUMOURS District programme officer (DPO) Hardeep Kaur said that the state department of women and child development has launched a special drive in the district to make people aware about the availability of fake forms.

“We are using gurdwaras of the villages in the district to disseminate information. The anganwari workers are playing a vital role in spreading awareness,” she said.

“Letters have been sent to the district education officers (DEOS), block development and panchayat officer (BDPOS), civil surgeons and lead district managers (LDM) to make maximum publicity in this regard,” she added.