India, March 14 -- Maharashtra has introduced stringent measures to curb the fraudulent acquisition of birth and death certificates, particularly by foreign nationals residing illegally. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced in the legislative assembly that producing fake documents to obtain these certificates will now result in criminal charges.

The crackdown follows allegations that thousands of Bangladeshi nationals acquired birth certificates using forged documents. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya recently claimed that 3,997 birth certificates had been fraudulently issued to Bangladeshi nationals, leading to the suspension of two government officials in Malegaon, Nashik.

"Birth and death certificates are crucial documents, bu...