A nursing aspirant’s career came crashing down after a forged Economically Weaker Section (EWS) certificate surfaced during official verification, leading to the registration of a criminal case against a local café operator accused of issuing the fake document. The incident has raised fresh concerns over the unchecked preparation of government certificates by unauthorised private operators.
The complainant, Komal Srivastava, a resident of Gwaltoli, alleged that negligence and fraud by the café operator not only cost her a government job but also pushed her into severe mental distress. A first information report has been lodged, and police said an investigation is under way.
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According to the complaint, Srivastava had applied for the staff nurse recruitment examination in 2023 conducted through the state public service selection process. As part of her application, she submitted an EWS certificate, which she said was prepared in September 2023 by Ankit, who runs a café named Dada Point in the Gwaltoli area.
She alleged that she paid ₹1,500 to get the certificate made, trusting that it was valid and officially issued. The certificate bore an issue date of September 11, 2023, and was accepted at the application stage without objection.
Selection followed by devastating rejection
After clearing all stages of the recruitment process, Srivastava was selected for the post of Nursing Officer, with results declared on March 7, 2025. However, her appointment was made subject to document verification, a standard procedure for government recruitments.
During scrutiny, the authorities flagged her EWS certificate as suspicious. On November 19, 2025, the Directorate of Medical Education and Training informed her via email that the certificate submitted was found to be forged, and she was given seven days to respond.
Alarmed, Srivastava approached the local tehsil office, where officials confirmed that the EWS certificate was not issued by any authorised revenue authority and was indeed fake.
As a result, her selection was cancelled, effectively ending her chances of joining the government service she had worked towards for years.
Allegations of negligence and deception
In her police complaint, Srivastava alleged that the café operator had assured her that the certificate was genuine and legally valid. She claimed that his negligence and fraudulent conduct directly led to the loss of her job.
The complainant stated that the aftermath of the incident severely impacted her mental health. She told police that she has been under psychological distress since losing the job and feels her future has been irreparably damaged.
Her complaint further stated that the emotional toll has been so severe that she has struggled to cope, highlighting the devastating personal consequences of document fraud beyond financial loss.
Police register case
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under sections related to cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy. Officials said statements are being recorded and documents seized as part of the probe.
“The allegations are serious. An FIR has been registered on the basis of the victim’s statement, and the role of the accused is being examined. Further legal action will follow based on evidence,” a police officer said.
Investigators are also looking into whether similar forged certificates were prepared for other candidates and whether the café operator was part of a larger racket involved in producing fake government documents.
Wider concerns over fake certificates
The case has once again spotlighted the growing problem of unauthorised agents and cyber cafés offering to “arrange” caste, income and EWS certificates for a fee, often without applicants verifying their authenticity.
Officials said candidates must ensure that all certificates are issued strictly through designated government portals or authorised revenue offices. “Any document obtained through unofficial means can lead to cancellation of selection and criminal liability,” an officer warned.
Investigation ongoing
Police said they are verifying records at the café and examining digital trails related to the preparation of the certificate. Further arrests have not been ruled out if evidence points to organised activity.
For Srivastava, however, the damage is already done. What began as a shortcut to complete paperwork ended in the collapse of a hard-earned career opportunity — a stark reminder of how a single forged document can derail years of effort.
The investigation is ongoing.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
