Fake Death Certificate Scam Uncovered in Pune Municipal Corporation
Pune, 15th February 2025: A shocking case of fraudulent death certificates has been exposed at the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) Dhankawadi Sahakarnagar Ward Office. Two employees of a private contractor responsible for birth and death registrations have been arrested by the Dighi Coastal Police in Raigad district for issuing fake death certificates.
The scam came to light during an investigation into a land fraud case in Shrivardhan, Konkan. A Pune Camp area resident’s one-acre plot was sold using forged documents between 2019 and 2021. When police traced the accused to Katraj, they discovered he had allegedly died in 2021. However, the death certificate raised suspicions as it showed the registration date as April 2024, despite being issued in 2021.
Further inquiry revealed that PMC could not provide any supporting documentation for the death registration, including the certifier’s details, mobile number, or application forms. This lack of information led to the arrest of the contractor’s employees who had made the fraudulent entry.
The Raigad police have requested PMC to determine the responsibility of relevant staff and officials involved in the false death registration. Instructions have been given for the female employee responsible for issuing these certificates and the concerned doctors to appear before the police.
Dr. Nina Borade, head of the PMC’s Health department, stated that an investigation into the fake death certificate complaint has been initiated. Explanations have been sought from officials for the period in question. The contractor’s employees have been removed, and stricter rules will be implemented for contract workers to prevent such incidents in the future. A detailed report will be submitted to senior officials in the coming days.
