A major controversy has erupted in Chamba after allegations surfaced that a newly elected Municipal Council councillor contested the civic elections using a fake Scheduled Caste (SC) certificate to secure victory from a reserved ward.
Advocate Bhavna Malhotra, who unsuccessfully contested the Chaughan Ward seat of the Chamba MC, has lodged a complaint at the Chamba police station seeking registration of an FIR against newly elected councillor Tanvi Mirza, her husband and others for allegedly using forged documents during the civic body elections held on May 17.
According to the complaint, Tanvi Mirza secured 469 votes against Malhotra’s 404 and was declared elected. Malhotra alleged that during scrutiny of nomination papers, it came to light that Mirza had submitted an SC certificate and deposited only Rs 1,250 as security, instead of the Rs 2,500 required from general category candidates.
The complaint further stated that Tanvi Mirza married Khalid Mirza in 2004 under Muslim customs and subsequently adopted Islam. Malhotra alleged that after her marriage, Mirza began using the surname “Mirza” in official records, including school documents, Aadhaar, ration card, voter lists and social media accounts.
Citing recent Supreme Court judgments, the complainant contended that a person who converts from Hinduism to Islam or Christianity ceases to enjoy Scheduled Caste status. On this basis, she alleged that false declarations and forged documents were used during the election process.
Malhotra further claimed that shortly before the elections, certain documents were deliberately altered in connivance with the then Naib Tehsildar and that the name “Tanvi Goswami” was restored in official records to facilitate a claim to Scheduled Caste status. Attempts to contact Tanvi Mirza for her response were unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Naib Tehsildar Baldev Raj denied the allegations, describing them as “baseless and contrary to facts”. He said he had discharged his official duties strictly in accordance with rules and available records.
Chamba Superintendent of Police Vijay Kumar Saklani said the matter was under preliminary inquiry and that all relevant documents and facts would be examined in accordance with the law before any further action is taken.
