SIT takes over probe into Deonar fake birth cert scam FIR

Mumbai: Police have transferred the investigation into one of the cases in the alleged fake birth certificate registration scam being probed by Deonar police to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the crime branch.

Sources said four cases were registered in 2025, at Deonar, Mulund, Kurla and Shivajinagar police stations. They are already with SIT, being probed by crime branch units 2, 6 and 7. The latest case taken over pertains to an FIR registered by Deonar police in Feb 2026 against two former BMC health department officials, Dr Sanjay Funde and Dr Pradeep Kashale, accused of approving birth certificates without proper verification of documents.

A senior police officer associated with the SIT said, “We are examining the matter and will ascertain whether it was an inadvertent error or a deliberate act. Appropriate action will be taken based on our findings.”

According to investigators, the two ex-officials allegedly cleared several suspicious home birth registrations in the M-East ward without following mandatory procedures and documentation checks. According to the complaint lodged by BMC, preliminary and internal inquiries revealed that during their respective tenures, Dr Funde (2024) and Dr Kashale (2025) allegedly misused their official positions while registering births. The FIR states that Dr Funde approved records of six home births without proper examination or verification of documents and registered nine births at a private nursing home without conducting mandatory inspections. Similarly, Dr Kashale is accused of clearing three home birth registrations without due verification. The complaint states these actions violated provisions of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, and govt resolutions issued by the public health department.

Civic officials have alleged that the irregular entries amounted to negligence, misuse of office and illegal acts while discharging official duties.

Based on the written complaint, Deonar police registered a case under Sections 198, 199 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code, read with Sections 23 and 24 of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act.

Following allegations made by BJP’s Kirit Somaiya last year, the BMC conducted an internal inquiry and suspended several officials accused of issuing illegal birth certificates. After Somaiya raised concerns over forged birth certificates, Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde directed the BMC to intensify action in such cases, leading to a broader investigation into the alleged racket.