Case registered in Rs 40,000 fake COI scam in Sikkim; one under police scanner
During discussions about transferring the vehicle to his name, Shyam Sunar offered to help him for a payment of Rs 40,000.
LOCAL
A case related to the use of a fake Certificate of Identification (COI) has come to light in Sikkim, following a complaint by the President of the Sikkimese Mulniwasi Suraksha Sangh (SMSS). The complaint led to an official enquiry and the registration of an FIR at Singtam Police Station.
According to police reports, on June 27 at around 2 PM, PI Mamta Rai, the enquiry officer, submitted a report based on an earlier written complaint received from Mr. Ratnalal Sapkota, the President of SMSS. The complaint, dated June 9, 2025, was originally addressed to the Director General of Police (DGP), Sikkim.
Mr. Sapkota had informed the authorities that his organization, SMSS — a registered group since 2022 — had been working to identify and expose fake documents in the state. Based on information gathered by the group, it was suspected that some individuals had obtained fake COIs with the help of one Shyam Sunar, a resident of Sangkhola, Gangtok District.
As part of the enquiry, an official authentication report was obtained from the Additional District Collector (Headquarters), Gangtok, dated May 23, 2025. The findings confirmed that one COI issued in the name of Suraj Subba had been cancelled earlier in March after it was surrendered. Another COI, claimed by Kharka Bahadur Chettri, could not be traced in the official records. Interestingly, the serial number and date matched a valid COI that was actually issued to a different person — Sagar Sewa, son of Prithi Ram Sewa, from Tareythang. Only one COI, issued to Sheeta Pradhan, was verified as genuine.
The investigation took a significant turn when the enquiry officer recorded a statement under Section 180 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. In the statement, Kharka Bahadur Chettri revealed that he was originally from Pubung Busty in Kalimpong District of West Bengal. However, he has been residing in Singtam Bazar since 1992. Despite his long stay in Sikkim, he did not have documents proving his residence in Kalimpong.
Kharka Bahadur said that in 2019, he had purchased a second-hand vehicle. During discussions about transferring the vehicle to his name, Shyam Sunar offered to help him for a payment of Rs 40,000. This amount was paid in instalments. After receiving the money, Shyam Sunar reportedly gave him the vehicle documents along with a COI in his name. He was told that this COI might help in future transactions involving vehicles.
However, in 2025, during a press conference by SMSS, Kharka Bahadur came to know that the COI he held was fake. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, he voluntarily handed over the fake COI to Mr. Ratnalal Sapkota. Based on this, further investigation was initiated.
The police have now registered a case under FIR No. 16(06)2025 dated June 27, 2025, at 4 PM under Sections 336(3) and 340(2) of the BNSS 2023. The matter is under detailed investigation, and legal action is expected to follow.