Jalgaon Health Department Cancels Thousands of Illegally Generated Certificates
The health department in Jalgaon district has taken decisive action by cancelling approximately 3,000 delayed birth and death certificates that were found to have been generated illegally. This significant move follows a thorough investigation that uncovered fraudulent activities originating from Bhatpuri village in Parola taluka. The matter has been formally reported to the Maharashtra state government, highlighting serious administrative concerns.
Investigation Uncovers Systematic Fraud
Dr. Sachin Bhayekar, the district health officer, revealed that the administration received crucial information at the beginning of January 2026 regarding the illegal generation and delivery of delayed birth and death certificates from Bhatpuri village. This prompted an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the matter. The probe uncovered startling details about the scale and method of the fraud.
Upon examining the records, authorities discovered that since 2016, when the online registration process was implemented, a user ID had been created for Bhatpuri, a remote village, but it had never been legitimately used. Despite this, an astonishing 4,907 delayed birth and death certificates were fraudulently generated from this village. The certificates covered the period from 2010 to 2025, with all processing occurring exclusively during November and December 2025.
Alert from Yavatmal District Triggers Discovery
The fraudulent activities came to light after the Jalgaon administration received an alert from the Yavatmal district administration regarding multiple certificates being generated from Bhatpuri. This cross-district coordination proved crucial in identifying the irregularities. Further investigation revealed that the names on the certificates included individuals such as Sarita Devi and Gopal Das, along with some Muslim-sounding names.
However, as Dr. Bhayekar pointed out, common surnames in the area include Patil, Mahajan, and Bhil, which were conspicuously absent from the fraudulent certificates. The investigation extended to the neighboring village of Ratale, but no residents with the names or surnames found on the certificates could be located there either.
Administrative Response and Legal Action
The district administration conducted a meticulous investigation and confirmed that there were no official records supporting the existence of the individuals named on the certificates. In response to these findings:
- The health department escalated the issue to the state government and informed the state registrar
- Following directives from the state registrar, the health department initiated the cancellation of the fraudulent certificates
- Approximately 3,000 certificates have been cancelled so far, with the entire process expected to be completed within a week
Dr. Sachin Bhayekar confirmed that a special investigation team has been established at the district level to handle this case comprehensively. Additionally, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against unknown persons for generating these forged documents, marking a significant step toward legal accountability.
This incident raises important questions about the security and monitoring of online registration systems for vital documents in Maharashtra. The health department's proactive response demonstrates their commitment to maintaining the integrity of official records and preventing similar fraudulent activities in the future.
