Mumbai. Mumbai Police has formed a Special Investigation Team to probe allegations that more than 87,000 fake birth certificates were illegally issued through the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation system. The case has raised serious concerns over civic data integrity, digital identity security and possible misuse of forged documents for Aadhaar, bank KYC and welfare schemes.
BMC System Breach Under Investigation
Preliminary findings suggest that the alleged fraud was carried out through an unauthorised SAP-based system operating within the BMC health department. Authorities suspect that the mandatory Civil Registration System portal was bypassed, allowing fraudulent entries to be generated outside the official verification framework.
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According to official records, 87,347 birth certificates were issued without proper validation between 2024 and 2026. The irregularities came to light after an internal complaint, following which the SIT was formed for a detailed investigation.
Administrative Action Taken Against Officials
The SIT is being led by Lakhmi Gautam, Joint Commissioner of Mumbai Crime Branch. Investigators suspect that the matter may involve more than technical loopholes and could point to a coordinated digital identity fraud network, possibly with insider assistance.
Disciplinary action has already been taken against several Medical Officers of Health from civic zones including Andheri, Dahisar, Byculla and Kurla. Transfers and suspensions have been carried out, though investigators are examining whether the issue extends deeper into the administrative system.
Forensic Audit and Digital Logs Examined
Investigating agencies have secured server logs, user access data and digital transaction records. A forensic audit of the system has also begun, with early analysis indicating unauthorised logins and suspicious data entry patterns.
Officials said 236 cases have been identified so far. Administrative action has already been taken in 137 cases, while the remaining cases have been handed over to the SIT for deeper investigation.
Authorities have said strict legal action will follow if criminal conspiracy or systemic negligence is established. The SIT is now working to map the full extent of the alleged network and determine whether the fake certificates were used for identity documents, financial verification or government benefits.
