Patna: Amid the controversy and complications surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) roll in Bihar, a residence certificate was recently issued in Patna’s Masaurhi area, not to a person, but to a dog.
The certificate, generated through Bihar’s official RTPS portal, features the name ‘Dog Babu’, a photograph of the canine, and lists the address as Mohalla Kaulichak, Ward No 15, Nagar Parishad Masaurhi.
Have a look at the certificate here:
(Photo Courtesy: @_YogendraYadav)
What has escalated the matter from bizarre to serious is the presence of the digital signature of Revenue Officer Murari Chauhan on the document. Since such signatures require the use of a secure government-issued dongle, officials suspect a possible breach or misuse of credentials. A formal investigation has now been initiated.
Dog Babu’s certificate, numbered BRCCO/2025/15933581, has exposed potential vulnerabilities in the online system meant to issue essential documents to residents after verification of Aadhaar, voter ID, and other proofs.
Supporting Documents Belonged to Delhi Woman
Upon verifying the details associated with the certificate, authorities found that the documents uploaded in support of the application actually belonged to a woman based in Delhi. Her Aadhaar card and her husband’s identity documents had been submitted, raising concerns about how such unrelated data was used to generate a residence certificate with an entirely fabricated identity.
Officials suspect that someone may have gained unauthorised access to the government portal or manipulated it from within. It remains unclear whether the dongle was misused intentionally or compromised by someone close to the system.
Political activist Yogendra Yadav also took to X (formerly Twitter) to raise alarm about the severity of the incident. He wrote, "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, "Don’t worry: The government has assured action in this matter!"
Here's how netizens reacted to the news:
X Screengrab
X Screengrab
X Screengrab
What Is Special intensive Revision (SIR)?
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a large-scale exercise by the Election Commission to verify and update voter lists. Unlike routine updates, it requires all voters to re-submit their details and often provide documents proving their identity, age, and residence. Only citizens aged 18 and above, who have lived in the state for over seven years, are eligible.
'This Isn't A Prank': Officials To Take Strict Action
Reacting to the incident, Circle Officer Prabhat Ranjan confirmed that an FIR will be filed against those responsible. He said this was not a joke but a serious case of tampering with official systems and misuse of government documentation. "It will be probed as to how the dongle of the revenue officer was misused. An investigation has already been ordered and further action will be taken against those involved," he said, as quoted by ETV Bharat.
