The police team following the trail of fake death certificates issued to Tamil Nadu Cooperative Minister Sellur K Raju and CPM MLA Anna Durai by Madurai Corporation found several anomalies in the certificate issuance process.
The team, which traced the computer system that was used to generate the certificate, identified it as the one at the information centre at the corporation headquarters. It also revealed that apart from the online version, certificates carrying the digital signature of Corporation Health Officer were issued manually. Several officials of the corporation, including record keeper Veni, sanitary inspector Murugan and server manager Ravi were questioned.
Though the sanitary inspector claimed that he had not received any application in the names of the Minister and MLA, the team found that one Nagarajan had applied for death certificates. Tracing the internet protocol address, the team found out that it was of a computer at the headquarters and it was used to make the certificates on September 22 and 23. However, server manager Ravi claimed ignorance.
Corporation officials said the online birth and death certificate issuance system was launched only a few weeks ago and it was being handled by private contractors Murugesan and Ponram. Murugesan had a police case pertaining to financial irregularities, and his earlier contract of toll gate fee collection was terminated, police said.