Mumbai crime branch records statement of former ACP in fake document case

During the probe, the birth certificate submitted by the BJP leader`s wife (Reshma Khan) for making a passport was found to be fake. Representation pic

The Mumbai Crime Branch officers on Monday recorded the statement of former assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Deepak Phatangre, who was booked for not taking cognizance of a complaint registered against Reshma Khan, wife of Maharashtra BJP secretary Hyder Azam, for obtaining the passport fraudulently.

The Additional Director General of Police Deven Bharti, who processed the passport, has also been booked in the case. When mid-day contacted Phatangre, he was not available for comment.

During the probe, the birth certificate submitted by the BJP leader's wife (Reshma Khan) for making a passport was found to be fake. Retired inspector Deepak Kurulkar had filed a complaint at Malvani police station in this regard on December 10, 2021, which is being investigated by the Crime Intelligence Unit (CIU).

According to the complainant, when the documents submitted by Khan were checked, discrepancies were found in it. Phatangre, however, has denied the allegations leveled against him in a statement to the police.

Kurulkar, in his complaint, has also alleged that Khan is a Bangladeshi national. He had also carried out a preliminary inquiry in this regard and had written a letter to the Records and Coping Section of West Bengal demanding that Khan's birth certificate be verified. According to Kurulkar, there was some tampering found in the birth certificate.

An official of the Mumbai Crime Branch said, "She is an Indian citizen but she has used a fake birth certificate to get the passport. Why did Khan submit a fake birth certificate and from where did she get it made, is being probed."