A major fraud involving government welfare schemes has come to light in Maharashtra’s Parbhani district, where several people allegedly declared living registered construction workers as dead on official records, created forged death certificates, and claimed government benefits worth ₹2.34 million (₹23.40 lakh) by posing as their legal heirs. The preliminary investigation has uncovered 10 separate fraudulent cases, following which police have registered a case against 10 accused on charges including cheating and launched a detailed investigation.
According to police, the fraud is linked to Dhanora Motya and Gaur villages in Purna taluk. As per the complaint filed by a government labour officer, forged death certificates were allegedly prepared in the names of several registered construction workers under the Maharashtra Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board between May 2023 and April 2026. The accused then falsely declared the workers deceased, projected themselves as their legal heirs, and obtained financial assistance under various government welfare schemes.
The investigation revealed that forged documents were allegedly used to claim benefits under schemes including Natural Death Assistance, Widow/Heir Pension, and Funeral Assistance. In each case, the accused allegedly received ₹2 lakh as natural death assistance, ₹24,000 as widow/heir pension, and ₹10,000 as funeral assistance, amounting to ₹2.34 lakh per case. Across 10 cases, a total of ₹23.40 lakh was allegedly fraudulently withdrawn from the government treasury.
The alleged scam came to light after officials suspected irregularities in the submitted documents and initiated verification of the death certificates through the concerned gram panchayats and village officials. During the verification process, it was found that the construction workers declared dead in official records were, in fact, alive, and the death certificates submitted in their names were forged. Notices were subsequently issued directing the beneficiaries to return the government funds.
The investigation further revealed that one of the accused, Laxman Baburao Tak, has refunded the entire amount received from the government. However, criminal proceedings were initiated against the remaining accused after they failed to return the money. Police are also examining the role of others who may have been involved in preparing the forged documents and facilitating approval of the financial assistance.
The accused named in the case are Balaji Ramji Panchal, Balaji Bhimrao Kadam, Annarao Dhondiba Bhalerao, Manik Mahadu Darange, Mirabai Devidas Panchal, Muktabai Namdev Dakhore, Digambar Vyankati Jogdand, Murlidhar Narayan Jogdand, Dnyanoba Chudamani Parve, and Sumanbai Balaji Panchal. A cheating case has been registered against them at the Kotwali Police Station.
Police are now investigating whether an organised racket was involved in preparing the forged death certificates and whether similar frauds were committed under other government welfare schemes. Investigators are scrutinising records related to document approvals, benefit sanctions, and financial transactions.
The preliminary findings indicate that weaknesses in the verification mechanism of government welfare schemes may have been exploited to execute the alleged fraud. Officials believe more cases could surface as the investigation progresses. The incident has raised serious concerns over the verification and monitoring systems governing welfare schemes. Police said that if the investigation reveals the involvement of any middlemen, government employees, or other individuals, strict legal action will be taken against them in accordance with the law.
