Maharashtra to cancel suspicious birth, death certificates

In a major step to curb the menace of fraudulent birth and death certificates being used for illegal purposes, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Friday (November 28, 2025) ordered the immediate cancellation of all suspicious certificates issued on the strength of an Aadhaar card and directed authorities to lodge police complaints without delay.

A comprehensive 16-point verification guideline has been issued by the Revenue Department to all Tehsildars, Sub-Divisional Officers, District Collectors and Divisional Commissioners. The circular, issued following a high-level meeting chaired by the Additional Chief Secretaries of Home and Revenue Departments, clearly states that Aadhaar card cannot be accepted as standalone proof of date of birth or place of birth, in line with Central Government guidelines.

The directive also states that all birth and death registration orders issued by Tehsildars after the amendment of August 11, 2023, to be withdrawn and cancelled forthwith.

Discrepancy between application details and Aadhaar date of birth will invite immediate FIR against the applicant, the circular states.

The circular further adds beneficiaries who fail to surrender original bogus certificates or cannot be traced will be declared ‘absconding’ and FIRs registered against them and be declared as fugitives. District Collectors and Divisional Commissioners will also conduct special verification camps under their direct supervision.

The 14 districts identified as ‘hotspots’ for such malpractices have been put under strict scrutiny. Amravati, Akola, Sillod, Sambhajinagar (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) city, Latur, Anjangaon Surji, Achalpur, Pusad, Parbhani, Beed, Gevrai, Jalna, Ardhapur and Parli.

Speaking on the initiative, Mr. Bawankule said, “Forged birth and death certificates are being misused to grab government benefits, encroach land and even threaten national security. We will not tolerate such rackets. Strict action will be taken against such beneficiaries.”