Maharashtra has introduced stringent measures to curb the fraudulent acquisition of birth and death certificates, particularly by foreign nationals residing illegally. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced in the legislative assembly that producing fake documents to obtain these certificates will now result in criminal charges.
The crackdown follows allegations that thousands of Bangladeshi nationals acquired birth certificates using forged documents. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya recently claimed that 3,997 birth certificates had been fraudulently issued to Bangladeshi nationals, leading to the suspension of two government officials in Malegaon, Nashik.
“Birth and death certificates are crucial documents, but they are also prone to misuse. To curb this malpractice, the norms have been tightened. Anyone found guilty of forging documents will face legal action,” Bawankule stated.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the issue, and a government resolution (GR) from the Public Health Department outlines a revised verification process for birth and death certificate requests older than a year. Under the new guidelines, applications will require approval from senior district officials, including the district magistrate, sub-divisional magistrate, or designated executive officers. A late fee and a thorough verification process will be mandatory before issuing the certificates.
Authorities have received complaints about foreign nationals applying for birth and death certificates long after the actual events. In response, the government has mandated additional scrutiny, requiring supporting evidence such as postmortem reports, FIRs, statements from Anganwadi workers, and hospital records before issuing a certificate.
Moreover, applicants must provide multiple identity and residency proofs, including hospital records, vaccination certificates, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, domicile certificates of parents or relatives, and school leaving certificates. Officials must also evaluate the reasons for any delay in applying and secure a police verification report confirming the applicant’s address. A talathi or gram sevak report will further validate the claim.
The newly enforced three-step verification process ensures stricter scrutiny, and any attempt to submit fake documents will lead to immediate criminal charges. The SIT’s ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of fraudulent certifications, reinforcing the government’s commitment to preventing document misuse and ensuring a transparent verification system.
