Bargarh: In a major crackdown on the misuse of caste certificates, police on Monday arrested Paikmal Block Vice-Chairman Sanjib Barik, also known as Sanjib Bariha, for allegedly using a fake Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate to obtain government benefits and contest elections.
According to reports, Barik had been availing various government schemes and privileges under a forged tribal identity for years. Acting on the findings of a formal inquiry, Paikmal Police arrested him and later forwarded him to court, informed Paikmal Police Station IIC Kailash Chandra Pradhan.
Sources said that multiple complaints had earlier surfaced against Barik for using a fake ST certificate to contest the Paikmal Block Vice-Chairman election and secure access to welfare programmes. A detailed investigation led by the District Welfare Officer (DWO), Bargarh, and an official inquiry committee confirmed that Barik alias Bariha does not belong to any Scheduled Tribe community.
Following the probe, the DWO lodged a written complaint with Paikmal Police Station, leading to the registration of Case No. 239/2025 and Barik’s subsequent arrest.
Barik was earlier elected as a Samiti Member from Kansada Gram Panchayat under Paikmal Block before being elected as the Vice-Chairman of the Block.
