A Trinamul Congress member of Malda zilla parishad has been accused of obtaining fraudulently a Scheduled Caste certificate, to which she is not entitled.

The issue has come to the notice of the district administration and an inquiry has been ordered in this regard.

Sources said some CPM leaders had come to know recently that Prativa Singh, who is also in charge of the education department at the rural body, managed to get the SC certificate. They flagged the issue before the administration and soon, the BJP too, raised the same charge.

As the case has come to light, even a section of Trinamul leaders has raised questions. They mentioned that in the 2018 panchayat elections, she got elected to the zilla parishad from an unreserved seat in Englishbazar block.

“Ahead of that, she was a councillor at Englishbazar municipality and contested as a general candidate. It was surprising to find that she has obtained a certificate which mentions that she is a Rajbanshi,” said a senior Trinamul functionary of the district.

The BJP and CPM leaders said if required, they would take legal steps.

“If the administration does not take any steps, we will challenge her certificate. We suspect that she applied influence to get it,” said a BJP leader.

Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, a state secretary of Trinamul, was also critical of Singh. He said recently, the state election commission had issued a draft notification where it was mentioned that the post of sabhadhipati — the chief of the zilla parishad — was reserved for SC candidates.

“It seems she aspires to be in the post in future and thus got this certificate issued. It is unfortunate. Such acts affect the party’s image,” said Choudhury, who is also the chairman of Englishbazar municipality.

Officials of the district administration, when contacted, said they had taken cognizance of the case.

“A five-member committee would be formed to look into the issue. We are gathering necessary details,” said an official.

Singh, when contacted, said she would clarify the issue shortly. “I will not make further comments.”