BJP councillor accused of forging records of third child

RAJKOT: Kutch deputy collector on Thursday ordered a probe into the allegations against a sitting BJP councillor of Gandhidham Municipality, who has been accused of forging birth record of his third child to retain his job.


An amendment in the Gujarat Local Authorities Act prevents a person having more than two children to be a member of the panchayat, or the councillor of a municipality or municipal corporation.

A person with more than two children cannot contest local body elections and if an elected member is found in violation of the act, he/she would be disqualified.

The issue came to light after the deputy collector received a letter with documents alleging that the Gandhidham councillor Momayabha Gadhvi had forged hospital birth records with mala fide intentions.

According to the letter, Gadhvi, who had won the municipality election on a BJP ticket from ward 2 became father of a third child on June 25 but he used a fake name of himself and his wife at the hospital.

The letter further alleged that the mother’s name registered in hospital record was Vijyaben instead of Radhaben, while father’s name was recorded as Meghrajbhai instead of Momayabha. Even the address of the parents mentioned in the hospital record was fake, the letter stated.

Gadhvi is chairman of water supply committee of Gandhidham municipality and he is director of Khadi Gramodhyog Board. He has been active in BJP since last two decades and is also former general secretary of party’s Kutch unit.

When contacted, Kutch deputy collector Vijay Rabari told TOI, “We have received the letter and have asked the chief officer of municipality to probe the allegation and submit a report. Based on the report district collector and regional commissioner municipalities with take action.”

Gadhvi, who has two daughters aged seven and four years, admitted that his wife delivered a third child. “I have informed my district party president and offered to resign. I am waiting for his orders.”

Defending the names in hospital records, Gadhvi said, “Vijya is my wife’s maiden name and my pet name is Meghraj. We have not provided false information and are not hiding our third child.” He denied having any mala fide intentions.