Gaighat, June 11

A woman of Katari Municipality, Udayapur, is learnt to have procured double citizenship certificates under different names.

Twenty-five-year-old Dhamaya Rai of Gabuba, Katari Municipality, had married Prakash Rai of Dudhauli, Sindhuli, about nine years ago. While she had procured her first citizenship certificate under her real name from Sindhuli district about six years ago, she managed to get a second citizenship certificate issued under an alias from Area Administration Office of Katari around two years ago.

Investigation has shown that the woman had applied for a second citizenship certificate under a fake name when she started living with her parents after leaving her husband.

Ward Chairperson Krishnaraj Danuwar had recommended the citizenship certificate for the woman.

Meanwhile, Katari Area Administration Officer Sunil Poudel denied he had done anything wrong.

“As she approached us seeking the document following due process, including recommendation from the ward chair, there was no way we could do anything else,” he argued.

Chief District Officer Dhurva Bahadur Khadka of Udayapur, however, clarified that both the citizenship certificate holder and the one who obliged her will have to face music if found in the wrong.

“We’ve started an investigation into the fraud, if found guilty, both the citizenship certificate seeker and the one who obliged her will face the music,” he said.

As per the existing laws, no person shall acquire more than one citizenship.