KALIKOT, Sept 7: The District Administration Office in Kalikot has reportedly issued a Nepali citizenship certificate to an Indian national. The case involves Jirbahadur Shahi from Shannitriveni Rural Municipality-5, who allegedly secured citizenship for his Indian son, Shankar, by falsely presenting him as his own child.
According to the Kalikot District Police Office, Chhitbahadur Bam advised Jirbahadur to claim the Indian national as his son. All necessary documents were prepared, and on Ashad 23, Shankar Shahi was officially registered as a Nepali citizen.
About a month later, Ward Chair Ramraj Bam reported the incident to the District Administration Office. In response, the police arrested Jirbahadur and Chhitbahadur in Shrawan for their involvement in issuing citizenship to a foreign national. The Indian citizen who received the certificate is currently absconding.
When will these Nepali citizens get citizenship certificates?
Janak Sharma, Assistant Chief District Officer of Kalikot, stated that he issued the citizenship after verifying the documents, which appeared correct. He said, “Based on the ward’s recommendation, all documents seemed in order, so I granted the citizenship. I only realized it involved an Indian citizen after the ward chair informed me.”
Police noted that Chhitbahadur allegedly manipulated Jirbahadur, who is his brother-in-law, into presenting the Indian national as his son to obtain citizenship. No action has been taken against Janak Sharma.
The other involved parties — Ward Chair Ramraj Bam, Jirbahadur Shahi, and Chhitbahadur Bam — were released on bail after a hearing. The Kalikot District Court set bail at NPR 75,000 for Ramraj Bam and NPR 250,000 each for Jirbahadur Shahi and Chhitbahadur Bam. Ramraj Bam has paid his bail and been released, while the other two are yet to post bail.
Authorities confirmed that the case will be investigated under the Nepali Citizenship Act, 2063 (2006).
