A day after it came to light that a residential certificate was issued to a dog named "Dog Babu" in Patna, mischievous individuals have filed another similar application in the name of “Dogesh Babu”, complete with a photo of a dog, in Bihar’s Nawada district.
The incident came to light after Nawada District Magistrate Ravi Prakash himself shared a copy of the application on social media.
Taking to X, Ravi Prakash wrote, "Copy cats... or rather, I should say copy dogs, tried applying for a residence certificate from Sirdala, Rajauli... were caught in the act. FIR being registered for a lame and stale attempt at humour."
The application shared by the Nawada DM includes a picture of a dog, with the parents listed as "Dogesh ke papa" and "Dogesh ki mummy".
Incidentally, a residence certificate was recently issued in Patna’s Masaurhi area to a dog named "Dog Babu". In another case, an application was filed in East Champaran under the name "Sonalika Tractor", using an internet picture of a Bhojpuri actress.
The authorities have taken strict action against the pranksters, with applicants being booked and traced with the help of cyber experts.
In Masaurhi, two officials faced departmental punishment after processing an application and issuing a certificate that went viral on social media, prompting the embarrassed administration to revoke it.
The Bihar Right to Public Services Act allows citizens to submit online applications for residence certificates, which are granted by designated officials after proper verification.
The ongoing special intensive revision of voter lists has reportedly led to a surge in residence certificate applications. This document is one of 11 identity proofs recognised by the Election Commission—a matter of dispute before the Supreme Court, which has advocated for accepting more widely available IDs such as Aadhaar cards and ration cards.
