In a significant move to address concerns over the fraudulent issuance of birth and death certificates to suspected illegal immigrants, the Maharashtra government has announced a six-month hold on the issuance of such certificates for applications that are a year or more delayed. This decision follows allegations raised by Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya, who claimed that over 25,000 fake birth certificates had been issued to Bangladeshi and Rohingya immigrants across various districts in Maharashtra. The government aims to ensure the integrity of the system before conducting a comprehensive hygiene check, as reports suggest widespread misuse, particularly in districts like Malegaon, Amravati, and Akola.
Bangladeshi Rohingyas Birth Certificate Scam
Want FORENSIC Audit of all 2,14,307 Applications
I wrote & talked to CM @Dev_Fadnavis that 97% "Delayed Birth Registration Applications" belongs to Bangladeshi Rohingyas Muslims. Most of the Documents are FORGED & FALSE Declarations pic.twitter.com/GWPO5IyhUO
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) January 28, 2025
Allegations and Investigations
The controversy erupted when Kirit Somaiya alleged that thousands of fake birth certificates were issued to Bangladeshi and Rohingya nationals across multiple districts in Maharashtra. According to Somaiya, 4,318 certificates were issued in Malegaon, 4,537 in Amravati, and over 15,000 in Akola, all based on forged documents. These documents, Somaiya contends, allowed immigrants to establish themselves in the state, raising concerns about demographic shifts and security risks.
In response, the state home department formed a special investigation team (SIT) to examine these claims. The SIT will review the issuance of all birth and death certificates in affected districts. The investigation is expected to take six months, during which time the issuance of delayed certificates will be suspended.
Legal Background and Administrative Changes
Prior to 2023, delayed applications for birth and death certificates—those submitted more than a year after the relevant date—required judicial approval. However, an amendment to the law in 2023 granted district collectors and sub-divisional officers the authority to approve these applications directly. While this change was meant to streamline administrative procedures, it has been criticised for facilitating fraud, particularly in areas with large immigrant populations.
Reports from districts like Malegaon and Amravati suggest that the new system was exploited to issue fraudulent certificates, raising alarms among local residents and officials about the potential for illegal immigration to be facilitated through forged documents.
Ongoing Scrutiny
As part of the investigation, officials are reviewing delayed birth and death certificate applications across the state. In Pune alone, 2,470 delayed birth certificates and 1,488 delayed death certificates are under scrutiny. Shirur and Velhe are among the areas with the highest numbers of pending applications.
The Maharashtra government’s decision to suspend the issuance of delayed certificates is seen as a necessary measure to prevent further misuse.
Birth Certificates Issued in 2024
In addition to the ongoing investigation, recent data has highlighted the issuance of birth certificates in 2024, raising further questions about potential misuse. Districts like Latur, Parbhani, Bhokardan, and Jalna saw substantial numbers of birth certificates issued this year—Latur (3,421), Parbhani (3,202), Bhokardan (2,594), and Jalna (2,179). This surge has added another layer of concern as local authorities assess whether these certificates were part of the wider issue of fraudulent document issuance.
बांगलादेशी जन्म प्रमाणपत्र घोटाळा
उद्या मी जालना परभणी लातूर जील्हाचा दौरा करणार, जिल्हाधिकाऱ्यांची भेट घेणार
सन 2024 मधे जन्म प्रमाणपत्र दिले
लातूर 3421
परभणी 3202
भोकरदन 2594
जालना 2179Tomorrow I will visit Jalna Parbhani Latur for Bangladeshi Birth Certificate Scam pic.twitter.com/fy4KWkiyt0
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) January 27, 2025
Moving Forward
The ongoing investigation into the fraudulent issuance of birth and death certificates in Maharashtra is a crucial step in addressing concerns about illegal immigration and the potential misuse of public records. The outcome of this investigation, along with the government’s response, will be instrumental in shaping future policies. The investigation’s findings will determine whether additional reforms are needed to protect the integrity of the system and prevent further exploitation.
