Status: Not ApprovedHEAD: 24_Mum_RP_Fir Byline: Richa PintoBmc files fir against moh officials over birth certificate irregularitiesRicha PintoMumbai: Over 3 months after suspending 2 Medical Officer Health (MOH) officials, the BMC filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dr Sanjay Funde and Dr Pradeep Kashale at the Deonar Police Station in connection with alleged irregularities in birth certificate registrations.The FIR, filed on February 17, 2026, by Assistant Health Officer Dr Mangesh Narayan Kumbhare, followed a mayoral meeting held on February 13 to discuss complaints related to fake and suspicious birth registrations in the M/East ward.The issue was repeatedly flagged by the ruling party and, more recently, by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, who held a meeting to discuss action against alleged illegal Bangladeshi immigrants residing in the city, the first after taking charge.This issue was first raised by former MP Kirit Somaiyya, who was present at the meeting with Tawde and also pointed out that all the birth certificates were issued only in 2024 and 2025, and only from the M East ward, which consists of areas namely Govandi, Mankhurd and Deonar. Somaiyya said that while the BMC cancelled these birth certificates on its digital records, most of those involved fled with the physical copies of these certificates. “Many of the hospitals mentioned in these certificates don’t even exist in reality,” he said.According to the complaint, preliminary and internal inquiries revealed that during their respective tenures, Dr Funde (year: 2024) and Dr Kashale (year: 2025) allegedly misused their official positions while registering births. The FIR states that Dr Funde approved records of 6 home births without proper examination or verification of documents, and registered 9 births at a private nursing home without conducting mandatory inspections.Similarly, Dr Kashale is accused of clearing 3 home birth registrations without due verification. The complaint states that these actions violated provisions of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, and govt resolutions issued by the Public Health Department. Civic officials alleged that the irregular entries misled govt records and 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 Births and Deaths Act, and initiated further legal action.Senior civic officials said that while suspension and an internal inquiry was already taken up by the civic administration, the political class was keen that a police complaint also be filed in the case. A senior BMC official said, “Already 4 civic employees were suspended in this case, including 2 birth registration karkoons (BRK). The civic administration is seriously looking at the complaints received, but also managed to trace back up to 80 birth certificates of the 237-odd birth certificates that were issued,” said an official.Sent from iPhone MSID:: 128753589 413 |
