AIMIM corporator Sahar Sheikh, who grabbed headlines during the Thane civic polls with her viral “Kaise haraya…” remark, now faces serious trouble after the Thane tehsildar’s office recommended an FIR against her father, Yunus Sheikh. The action follows an inquiry that found the family allegedly used a fake OBC caste certificate, raising questions over her election eligibility, a TOI report stated.
The probe, led by Tehsildar Umesh Patil, began after a complaint by Siddiqui Ahmad, whose daughter lost the election to Sahar Sheikh. The report concluded that the certificate appeared “prima facie fake” and suggested that multiple government agencies were misled during the process.
Siddiqui Ahmad approached authorities seeking verification of her caste certificate, alleging irregularities. This led to a formal inquiry at the tehsildar’s office.
The report also highlighted that the Sheikh family originally belongs to Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, making the process they followed to obtain the certificate questionable under state rules.
Officials believe documents may have been altered to fit this category. Supporting papers, including school records and a relative’s caste certificate from Uttar Pradesh, reportedly failed to prove any valid link to Maharashtra.
The report viewed this as a possible attempt to avoid local scrutiny, noting that the certificate should have been issued by Thane authorities. The validity certificate from the Mumbai Caste Scrutiny Committee was also termed questionable on similar grounds.
The tehsildar has recommended cancellation of all related caste certificates and registration of a criminal case against Yunus Sheikh for cheating and fraud. The report has been forwarded to the sub-divisional officer and shared with relevant authorities, including the Mumbai and Thane collectorates and the caste scrutiny committee, for further action.
The probe, led by Tehsildar Umesh Patil, began after a complaint by Siddiqui Ahmad, whose daughter lost the election to Sahar Sheikh. The report concluded that the certificate appeared “prima facie fake” and suggested that multiple government agencies were misled during the process.
What triggered the probe against AIMIM corporator Sahar Sheikh
The controversy traces back to the January 2026 Thane Municipal Corporation elections, where Sahar Sheikh won from Mumbra’s Ward No. 30. Soon after her victory, her campaign line “Kaise haraya…” became a talking point across the state. But the spotlight has now shifted from political style to paperwork.Siddiqui Ahmad approached authorities seeking verification of her caste certificate, alleging irregularities. This led to a formal inquiry at the tehsildar’s office.
What the report says
The investigation flagged several discrepancies in the caste certificate issued in 2011. Officials noted that the document did not follow the official Maharashtra format, lacked the signature of the sub-divisional officer, and did not mention ‘State of Maharashtra’, details described as signs of a forged document.The report also highlighted that the Sheikh family originally belongs to Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, making the process they followed to obtain the certificate questionable under state rules.
Form switch raises red flags
As per the Maharashtra Caste Certificate Act, migrants must apply under Form 10. However, the inquiry found that the family allegedly secured the certificate using Form 8, which is meant for native residents.Officials believe documents may have been altered to fit this category. Supporting papers, including school records and a relative’s caste certificate from Uttar Pradesh, reportedly failed to prove any valid link to Maharashtra.
Mumbai certificate route under scanner
Authorities also flagged the fact that Sahar Sheikh obtained her caste certificate from the Mumbai city collector’s office in 2018, despite residing in Thane.The report viewed this as a possible attempt to avoid local scrutiny, noting that the certificate should have been issued by Thane authorities. The validity certificate from the Mumbai Caste Scrutiny Committee was also termed questionable on similar grounds.
The tehsildar has recommended cancellation of all related caste certificates and registration of a criminal case against Yunus Sheikh for cheating and fraud. The report has been forwarded to the sub-divisional officer and shared with relevant authorities, including the Mumbai and Thane collectorates and the caste scrutiny committee, for further action.
