Over 42,000 ‘fake’ birth certificates acquired by Bangladeshi nationals living illegally in Maharashtra have been cancelled by the government so far, State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Wednesday.
He added the BJP-led Mahayuti government will cancel all such illegally acquired birth certificates by August 15 as part of a special drive.
Collectors to take action
“Many Bangladeshis have illegally acquired birth certificates in Maharashtra by conniving with talathis (revenue officials). We have formed a task force to look into it. District Collectors have been given the responsibility of cancelling all ‘fake’ certificates. These certificates will be cancelled by August 15,” Mr. Bawankule said.
District Collectors will have to send copies of the cancelled certificates to the Health Department and the Revenue Department, the Minister said.
‘Forged documents’
A Special Investigation Team was earlier formed to investigate the matter after BJP leader Kirit Somaiya claimed that “hundreds” of birth certificates had been issued to Bangladeshi nationals on the basis of forged documents.
The former MP had alleged that several Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingya persons were residing illegally in various parts of Maharashtra by using fake documents.
‘Role of officials, agents’
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Somaiya said, “So far, the Maharashtra government has cancelled 42,198 birth certificates. There is a clear nexus among government employees, agents, and applicants, which needs to be investigated.”
According to data provided by the Border Security Force, at least 110 Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in the State have been detained since January to be pushed back into the neighbouring country.
Published – July 31, 2025 01:29 am IST
