Architect Jailed For Forging Documents With Deceased Thumb Impression

A Delhi court has sentenced an architect and his associate to 2 years of imprisonment for their involvement in using the thumb impression of a deceased person and forging the signature of a sub-divisional magistrate.

The purpose of this forgery was to obtain a water harvesting certificate for a building that had already received plan sanction from the Delhi Development Authority in 2010.

The judge noted Solanki was already facing jail in another case.

Special Judge Sanjeev Kumar Malhotra pronounced the verdict, denying probation to the architect, Charan Singh Solanki, and his associate, Parmod Garg.

Judge Malhotra emphasized the architect’s greater responsibility due to his professional role in attesting signatures, issuing certificates, and adhering to the law.

The judge said in an order passed on July 12, “Convict Charan Singh Solanki, being an architect, was having more responsibility to attest signature/thumb impressions and to issue certificates as per rules/law. After considering the rival submissions and role of convict Charan Singh Solanki, I am not inclined to grant the benefit of probation to him.”
The prosecution vehemently opposed the argument for leniency, stating that such acts of forgery deeply impact the collective conscience of society.

According to the prosecution’s case, Solanki, working as an architect submitted a report to the DDA for the purpose of obtaining approval for a building plan. However, he proceeded to provide a water harvesting certificate that contained the forged thumb impression of the original allottee. Additionally, Solanki attached an unauthorized letter requesting an extension of time, which had not been issued by the DDA.