‘In a bizarre twist that has highlighted potential flaws in Bihar’s digital governance, a residence certificate was recently issued to a dog in Patna’s Masaurhi area under the state’s official RTPS (Right to Public Service) portal. The document bore the name “Dog Babu”, a photograph of the canine, and listed an address in Mohalla Kaulichak, Ward No. 15, Nagar Parishad Masaurhi.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern, especially as it comes amid the state’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive — a high-stakes voter roll verification process requiring stringent documentation from residents.
The certificate, numbered BRCCO/2025/15933581, did not just appear randomly. It came digitally signed by Revenue Officer Murari Chauhan, using a secure government-issued dongle. This has raised suspicions of either a major security breach or internal misuse of official credentials.
Investigation Launched; FIR to be Filed
Authorities say an investigation has been initiated, and Circle Officer Prabhat Ranjan confirmed an FIR will be lodged. “This is not a prank. It is a serious violation involving potential tampering with government systems,” he told media outlets. Officials are currently trying to ascertain whether Chauhan’s digital signature dongle was intentionally misused or accessed without authorization.
Delhi Woman’s ID Documents Used
A deeper probe revealed that the supporting documents uploaded for the fraudulent application — including Aadhaar and voter ID — belonged to a woman living in Delhi, unrelated to the location or to any ‘Dog Babu’. This mismatch has further raised eyebrows over the portal’s vulnerability and the thoroughness of its document verification mechanisms.
Political Reactions and Public Outcry
Political activist Yogendra Yadav posted images of the certificate on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying, “See it with your own eyes! On July 24 in Bihar, a dog got a residence certificate issued. This is the same certificate that is being accepted in Bihar under SIR, while Aadhaar and ration cards are being called fake.”
He added sarcastically, “Don’t worry: The government has assured action in this matter!”
About SIR (Special Intensive Revision)
The SIR initiative, launched by the Election Commission, is aimed at updating and verifying electoral rolls. Unlike routine procedures, it mandates fresh submission of identity and residency proofs, and applies only to citizens aged 18 or above who have lived in the state for at least seven years.
What’s at Stake?
The incident has undermined trust in the very systems intended to ensure voter eligibility and integrity. If a residence certificate can be issued in the name of a dog using unrelated human documents, experts warn, malicious actors could exploit the system at scale — a concerning risk for a state undergoing voter list revision ahead of critical elections.
