Maharashtra forms SIT after 27,000 birth and death registrations found in village of 1,300

The Maharashtra government is set to investigate a massive anomaly in the Civil Registration System (CRS) after around 27,000 birth and death certificates were generated in Shendursani Gram Panchayat , a village with a population of just 1,300 . Officials described the discrepancy as highly disproportionate and suspicious , raising concerns of misuse, manipulation, or fraudulent activity in the digital registration platform.

Authorities had earlier reported 27,398 delayed birth registrations in the village over three months, highlighting the irregularity. A criminal case has been registered at Yavatmal city police station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act , with the Sub-Divisional Police Officer leading the preliminary investigation.

Given the gravity of the situation, the Home Department is considering forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the ADG, Maharashtra Cyber , with the Deputy Director of Health Services and the District Health Officer as members. The SIT is expected to conduct a field visit to Shendursani to verify records, examine operational processes, and identify systemic gaps that may have been exploited.

The SIT’s probe will include a technical review of IP logs , questioning individuals whose names appear on suspect certificates, and identifying the modus operandi behind the fraudulent entries. Supervisory directives have already been issued to ensure strict compliance during the investigation.

The Civil Registration System (CRS) is a digital platform used to officially record births, deaths, marriages, and other vital events. Local officials at the Gram Panchayat or municipal offices , hospitals, and authorized health workers enter the information into the system, which then generates legal documents such as birth and death certificates. These records are essential for citizenship proof, school admission, passports, and other administrative purposes .

In cases of anomalies, like the Maharashtra village where 27,000 certificates were recorded for 1,300 people , officials who enter or approve false records can be held accountable under the law, including the Information Technology Act . Investigations often involve examining system logs, IP addresses, and access controls to detect potential digital crimes or fraudulent activity. Measures such as regular audits, verification checks, training, and public awareness are implemented to safeguard the integrity of the CRS and prevent misuse.

The SIT aims to identify those responsible, close procedural gaps, and recommend corrective measures , ensuring accurate, transparent, and trustworthy civil registration in Maharashtra.