In a startling case of fraud and official apathy, the Belagavi City Corporation (CCB) issued a death certificate for a woman who is still alive, allegedly enabling her husband to falsely claim ₹23 lakh in insurance money, according to a report by Sakal.
The husband, a resident of Nazar Camp in Vadgaon, applied for the certificate without submitting valid proof of death. Shockingly, the CCB processed the request without verification, paving the way for the insurance fraud. While his first insurance claim went through, a second application aroused suspicion, prompting the insurer to probe deeper.
During the investigation, officials were stunned when the husband made a video call showing his wife alive. Although ₹23 lakh had been approved, the insurance company withheld the payout, effectively thwarting the scam.
The fraud came to light after insurance officials and police met Municipal Commissioner Shubha B, who was reportedly shocked at the lapse. She ordered Health Officer Dr. Sanjeev Nandre to lodge a complaint, now registered at Shahapur Police Station. A formal FIR is pending.
Initial findings point to collusion involving a crematorium worker, who allegedly took ₹50,000 to enable the fabrication, and a female health inspector from Nazar Camp, who issued a No-Objection Certificate without due checks.
The scandal has raised alarm in the CCB, reviving past concerns over fake certificates, including those allegedly given to Bangladeshi nationals and another case involving a fabricated death for land fraud.