Kantamal MLA Bhagban Kanhar has been accused of forging his date of birth. The SDJM, Boudh, has directed police to probe the allegation and initiate action. Kanhar had won from the Balliguda SC segment for the first time during 1990-1995 as a Janata Dal nominee. He had won again in 2009 on BJD ticket from Kantamal segment.
Although he claimed to have passed Class IX from Janata High School in Aamagaon of Kantamal, information sought under RTI by an activist Prashanta Sahu, revealed that there was no student ever by Kanhar’s
name. Sensing trouble, Kanhar allegedly got another certificate and replaced it with the one submitted in the office of the Sub-Collector. This time the certificate showed Kanhar having passed Class IX from Sadananda High School, Ringapada in Kantamal. Further investigation revealed that Kanhar had himself inaugurated the Sadananda High School and there was no student by that name. The RTI activist, Sahu, said the actual date of birth of Kanhar is June 30,1968. Since he was ineligible to contest the Assembly poll in 1990, he allegedly changed it to July 18, 1964 in his school certificate. This ensured that he was over 25 years of age and hence, eligible to contest the poll. Moreover, it was also found that Kanhar’s original name was Bhawani Shankar Kanhar.
Subsequently, Sahu moved the police for action, only to be refused. With no other way out, he filed another case on April 10 against the police for their refusal to accept his complaint.
Acting on the complaint, the SDJM on April 17 directed Boudh Police to inquire into the matter and initiate suitable action by April 30. However, with no action coming forth despite the Court orders, the local Congress workers staged a dharna here on Tuesday.