14 bills cleared, Rs 10.39L withdrawn using jailed Uttarakhand village head’s digital signature

RUDRAPUR: A departmental inquiry ordered by CDO Divesh Shashini on Thursday found that 14 bills were cleared and Rs 10.39 lakh was withdrawn using the digital signature of Darau village head while she was lodged in Pauri Jail for forgery, officials said Sunday. Following the findings on Saturday, Udham Singh Nagar district panchayati raj officer Vidya Singh Semwal suspended gram panchayat secretary KK Malkani. "A report has been sent to district magistrate seeking action against others allegedly involved," Semwal said. The issue came to light on Thursday after Kichha MLA Tilak Raj Behar alleged at a press conference that Najia Bi has been in jail since Dec 13. Despite her incarceration, her husband Abdul Gaffar allegedly did not deposit her digital signature certificate with the block office.According to officials, the transactions took place between Dec 30, 2025, and Feb 24, 2026. Najia Bi had issued a letter on Feb 2 stating she was unable to visit the block office due to a fractured leg and authorised Gaffar to act as her representative. Repeated attempts to contact him went unanswered.