Maharashtra forms SIT to investigate 'delayed' birth, death certificates amid immigration concerns

The Maharashtra government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate irregularities in delayed birth and death certificate applications, amid concerns of Bangladeshi immigrants. The decision follows allegations by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya about a large-scale birth certificate scam and the arrest of a Bangladeshi national in Mumbai.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis (File photo) NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the issuance of birth and death certificates based on "delayed" applications to check the rise in Bangladeshi immigrants , an official said on Saturday. The SIT led by Inspector General Datta Karale will examine cases where certificates were issued or applications were filed more than a year after a birth or death, according to an official from the chief minister's office (CMO). The decision comes amid growing concerns over illegal Bangladeshi immigrants after the arrest of 30-year-old Bangladeshi national Shariful Islam Shehzad Mohammad Rohilla Amin Fakir.

He was arrested in connection with a knife attack on Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan in Mumbai. Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed the probe, saying that the investigation will review both previously issued certificates and pending applications. The government's order came after BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleged a large-scale birth certificate scam.

Somaiya claimed that between January 2021 and December 2023, Akola City’s magistrate court issued 269 delayed birth registration orders, while the tehsildar approved 4,849 delayed applications. According to Somaiya, the districts of Yavatmal, Akola, and Nagpur reported 11,864, 15,845, and 4,350 delayed applications, respectively. He further alleged that two lakh Bangladeshi Rohingyas have applied for birth certificates in Maharashtra, leading to the suspension of a tehsildar in Malegaon.

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