Unique Fraud By Odisha Woman For MBBS Admission Under ST Quota Using Fake Certificate

Bhubaneswar: Almost two decades after she joined MBBS course in a medical college in Odisha under Scheduled Tribe quota, a woman is now found to have allegedly furnished a fake caste certificate in order to avail the benefit.

The alleged fraud came to the fore after a probe was conducted into the admission of Kshirabdhi Tanaya Munda/Sahoo in MKCG Medical College and Hospital at Berhampur in 2004 following a representation by a rights activist.

Secretary of ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Welfare Department Roopa Roshan Sahoo has sent the detailed inquiry report to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) for needful action. The probe report was received from Bhadrak district Collector Siddeshwar Baliram Bondar.

Moreover, the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Central Division), being the Chairman of State Level Scrutiny Committee (SLSC) to deal with fake caste certificate cases, has been requested to decide the matter as per the guideline of the state government and through due procedure of adjudication at the earliest.

The findings of the inquiry conducted by revenue officials of Bhadrak district showed that though Kshirabdhi Tanaya Sahoo belonged to upper caste, a unique method was used to ensure her MBBS admission by availing the benefit of ST quota. It was fraudulently shown that though she was brought up by upper caste family, her biological parents belonged to ST. While her surname was only Sahoo in all certificates starting from HSC, it was changed to Munda/ Sahoo before she applied for admission to MBBS course, sources said.

The findings of the inquiry as submitted by Tehsildar of Bhadrak and Bhandaripokhari stated that Kumudini Sahoo, mother of  Kshirabdhi Tanaya Sahoo, and her late father Madan Mohan Sahoo were Brahmins by caste. It was confirmed by the villagers of Gopalbindha (Keshpur) in the district.

Certificates Kshirabdhi Tanaya Sahoo revealed that she is the biological daughter of Madan Mohan Sahoo.

Similarly, though Santi Munda, wife of late Bharat Munda, claimed that she was the biological mother of Kshirabdhi Tanaya Sahoo, she failed to produce any evidence on the biological parenthood of Kshirabdhi Tanaya Munda/Sahoo.

On verification of HSC certificate issued on 31.12.1997 and CHSE Certificate issued on 3.6.2021, it is mentioned that Kshirabdhi Tanaya Sahoo is the daughter of Kumudini Sahoo and Madan Mohan Sahoo.

Further, during local enquiry by Tehsildar of Bhandaripokhari it is ascertained that Kshirabdhi Tanaya Munda/Sahoo is not the biological daughter of Santi Munda and Bharat Munda.

Considering all the facts, deposition and circumstantial evidences, it is certainly deduced that Dr Kshirabdhi Tanaya Sahoo/Munda has acquired a Scheduled Tribe certificate through unfair means and secured admission through reservation meant for ST in MBBS stream in MKCG Medical College and Hospital in 2004.

Further after the completion of MBBS and they qualifying OPSC, she is presently posted at CHC, Chandbali.