West Bengal

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; South 24 Parganas | July 17, 2026 : The political controversy surrounding alleged fake educational certificates intensified on Friday after BJP leader Abhijit Das, popularly known as Bobby, lodged a formal complaint at the Jibantala Police Station in South 24 Parganas, accusing Kalighat Trinamool leader Abhishek Banerjee and six others of being involved in an alleged interstate fake certificate racket. The complaint marks the latest escalation in the ongoing political confrontation over allegations of forged academic credentials and related documentation.

The complaint submitted to the police, a total of seven individuals have been named in connection with the alleged racket. Besides Abhishek Banerjee, the complaint also includes the names of Shaukat Molla, Sumit Roy, who has been described as a close aide of Abhishek Banerjee, and Ayan Ghosh Dastidar, along with other accused persons.

Speaking after filing the complaint, BJP leader Abhijit Das claimed that he had reasons to suspect the authenticity of educational certificates submitted by some of the individuals named in the complaint. He alleged that Shaukat Molla's educational qualifications, as declared in election affidavits over the years, had changed on multiple occasions. According to Das, the certificates cited in those affidavits were issued by institutions located in other states, which prompted him to investigate the matter further.

Abhijit Das further alleged that the documents indicated regular academic study under conventional courses, despite the individual residing in West Bengal during the relevant period. Raising questions over how regular attendance could have been maintained at institutions located outside the state, he claimed that these discrepancies strengthened his suspicion of the existence of a larger interstate network involved in issuing fake educational certificates.

The BJP leader stated that after gathering what he described as supporting information, he concluded that the matter extended beyond isolated irregularities and reflected the operation of a broader organized racket. He therefore decided to file a police complaint naming Abhishek Banerjee and the other accused, requesting a thorough investigation into the alleged network.

Abhijit Das, the complaint seeks a detailed probe into the alleged use and procurement of educational certificates from institutions based outside West Bengal and whether any laws relating to forgery, fraud, or misrepresentation have been violated. He maintained that the allegations deserve a comprehensive investigation by the law enforcement authorities.

The submission of the complaint, officials at Jibantala Police Station reportedly assured the complainant that the matter would be examined in accordance with the law. Abhijit Das said the police had informed him that the allegations would be looked into and appropriate steps would be taken after verifying the facts and evidence presented in the complaint.

The allegations remain part of a police complaint, and no findings have been announced by the investigating authorities. The accused persons have not been found guilty of any offence, and the claims made in the complaint are yet to be verified through the legal process. The investigation by the police, if initiated, is expected to determine whether the allegations have any factual or legal basis.