Original QR codes used on fake documents: Mohali deputy commissioner
Representative ImageMOHALI: In the No Objection Certificate (NOC) scam, the preliminary investigations conducted by deputy commissioner Aashika Jain has found that the Quick Response (QR) Code used on the fake documents, when scanned, directs to the official portal of the Punjab Government, pointing at the suspected involvement of officials of revenue department.
The DC said that the QR code is only generated by the Punjab government through its IT department and prima facie, a deep-rooted conspiracy having alleged involvement of the government officials is being suspected.
DC Aashka Jain said she got a couple of fake NOC’s and scanned the QR code on it. The QR code worked properly and was diverted to the official portal, but the document was fake. This draws suspicion on how the original QR code was fixed on the document when the NOC was found to be fake, she said.
DC Aashka Jain said, “Directions issued to all sub registrars and Tehsildars to ensure in-built safeguards while registering documents with NOC. FCR office has issued instructions from time to time for verification of NOCs issued by development authorities as well as urban local bodies. CROs were directed to exercise extra caution in the wake of recent reports.”
Recently, the Mohali police have registered FIR against unknown persons for issuing fake No Objection Certificates (NOC’s) for registration of property. The FIR has been registered following the complaint of Derabassi MC Executive Officer (EO).
A total of 815 cases were examined from 1-1-2023 till 31-8-2023, out of which a total 169 NOCs were found to be fake, 4 online maps were found to be fake and 2 offline permits too were found to be fake.
The role of the officials of Derabassi Municipal council are under scanner over the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOC’s) to the builders. Around 2,000 permissions were sent to local bodies for scrutiny, out of which 169 NOC’s were found fake. An FIR was registered against unknown persons under sections 420, 468, 467, 471, and 120B of the IPC at Derabassi police station.
