Bengal police conduct state-wide raids to probe fake birth, death certificates allegations

Amid allegations of issuance of fake birth and death certificates during the Trinamool era, the West Bengal police have launched search operations across the state.

Police have conducted raids in multiple locations across the state, including Suri, Rampurhat, and Dubrajpur in Birbhum, as well as various panchayats and municipalities in Cooch Behar. Searches are also underway in Durgapur. Sources suggest that during these operations, the police are reportedly seizing registers and relevant documents.

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Police sources indicate that allegations regarding the issuance of fake birth certificates arose during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. It was claimed that several irregularities took place during the issuance of these certificates.

The BJP had alleged that these certificates were used to enroll names in the voter’s list.

In response to these allegations, investigators are visiting the relevant offices to speak with staff responsible for registering births and deaths. The police are seizing birth and death registration registers, along with related documents and records, from municipalities and panchayats which are being brought to police stations for detailed scrutiny.

Officials will verify whether birth certificates were issued in violation of rules or based on fraudulent documents. According to administrative sources, officials may also be questioned if necessary.

Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Agarwal said that the process of verifying data and rectifying records has begun at all levels, from districts and blocks to municipalities and panchayats.

Speaking at Nabanna, the Chief Secretary stated that this initiative aims to make the birth and death registration system more transparent and accurate. The district administration, police, health department, panchayats, and municipal authorities will work jointly on this initiative.

Work has already begun to collect, scan, and digitize old birth and death registers preserved by various municipalities, municipal corporations, and panchayats across the state, he said, adding that, once digitized, the documents will be returned to the respective departments to ensure that public services remain uninterrupted.

According to the state secretariat, a significant number of fake certificates were detected during recent test verifications. FIRs have already been lodged in several instances, and appropriate legal action has been taken.

The Chief Secretary noted since crucial government identity documents including Aadhaar cards, passports, and ration cards, are issued based on birth and death certificates; hence verifying the authenticity of these documents is of utmost importance.

The role of government employees involved in the birth and death registration system is also being strengthened. The state government will soon issue uniform guidelines regarding the distribution of responsibilities and verification processes across municipal corporations, municipalities, and panchayat areas.

The government expects that this initiative will not only curb the trend of generating fake certificates but also ensure greater transparency and accuracy in the birth and death registration system.

Several new rules have been formulated regarding the issuance of birth and death certificates when the new government came to power to prevent the issuance of fake birth and death certificates. A new notification to this effect was issued following a cabinet meeting, and a gazette notification regarding the ‘Registration of Birth and Death Amendment Rules, 2026’ was published.