Former Baisinga MLA Pramila Giri

Balasore, Aug. 25: Former BJP MLA of Baisinga Pramila Giri was arrested by Mayurbhanj police today on the charge of forging her caste certificate.

She was arrested by Badasahi police this afternoon after the district welfare officer lodged an FIR with them following a probe by the revenue divisional commissioner (central division).

“I lodged an FIR against Giri today with Badasahi police on the charge of faking her caste certificate. She belonged to Gopal caste whereas she forged her certificate by showing that she belonged to the Bathudi community (scheduled tribe) and fought election from the Assembly constituency reserved for tribals people,” said district welfare officer Rajib Sahu.

“The department also asked to initiate a certificate case to recover all the benefits she had availed as an MLA,” he said.

After her arrest, the former BJP MLA was produced before the court of sub-divisional judicial magistrate.

“A case was registered under sections 467, 468 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to forgery and cheating,” said deputy superintendent of police S.R. Mahapatra.

Giri represented Baisinga constituency in Mayurbhanj district in 2004-09 after winning the seat on a BJP ticket.

After her bail plea was rejected, Giri was sent to judicial custody for 14 days.