MARGAO: The identity theft of the Fernandes couple from Benaulim has hinted at rampant corruption in all the related government departments. The accused couple was called to the police station for questioning on Wednesday after media reports highlighted the issue.
Herald met the elderly Fernandes couple and made an attempt to understand how they have been battling this out all alone and only getting delays every single time. The couple had discovered that their names had been used by the kind-acting tenant Renuka, who is now Reeta, in January. The couple accordingly filed complaints and has been sent from pillar to post since then.
Maria Fernandes the wife Agostinho Fernandes, told Herald that she has been going to the court for the last three months and has got a further date every time. The police also haven’t taken the investigation seriously and haven’t even filed an FIR over their complaint.
Maria stated that after the media reports, the accused couple came to their house and asked them to take it lightly. “We have decided that we won’t let the matter die down until we get to the root and get the illegal name change of that tenant cancelled,” she said.
This case of the Fernandes couple is proving to be a classic example of how the unknown threats escalate into a huge threat if ignored.
“The licence of Renuka, in the name of Reeta Fernandes, which was acquired in 2012, is by far the oldest document of the changed name, and what we feel, is on the basis of which the rest have been made,” said Agostinho.
He added, “We have filed RTIs in all the departments, i.e. RTO, Sub-Registrar, MMC and others. It is surprising that these offices have already taken 15 days and it feels like they will be taking forever, the reason being corruption.”
