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In a bizarre case of fraud, a woman from Salogara near Solan in Himachal Pradesh was shocked to discover that she had been officially declared dead in government records, and even her cremation had been documented with two witnessing signing papers to get wood to perform her last rites.
The fraud came to light when an insurance company agent arrived at her home to verify documents for a life insurance claim. The woman, very much alive, was left stunned when the agent informed her that according to official records, she had passed away.
Upon rushing to the Solan Municipal Corporation office to have the death certificate revoked, authorities were thrown into a state of chaos. A police investigation has now been launched, with suspicions that the entire scheme was an attempt to fraudulently claim the woman’s life insurance payout.
How the fake death was staged
The fraudsters carried out the act by obtaining a death certificate from the Solan Municipal Corporation, using an application signed by a relative. They even purchased wood for cremation, allegedly providing the woman’s Aadhaar card as proof.
At the Chambaghat crematorium, a “Form-2” was filled out, and two witnesses signed on the supposed cremation.
The municipal authorities issued a death certificate dated January 5. It has since been revealed that five copies of the certificate were collected, each bearing the signature of the person who obtained them.
Further scrutiny showed that one of the witnesses listed on the cremation form could not be reached, raising suspicions of fabricated identities.
Probe underway after approaches police
The Solan police have taken up the case after receiving a formal complaint from the Municipal Corporation. Officers have questioned the crematorium staff, who claim they followed standard procedure, issuing wood for cremation based on the submitted documents.
The woman, whose name has not been disclosed for privacy reasons, recounted the moment she learned about her “death”. “The insurance company agent came to my house asking for documents. When I asked why, he said the policyholder had died. I told him— but I am alive!” she said.
With her Aadhaar card in hand, she rushed to the municipal office demanding answers. Her children also confronted officials, asking the crucial question: “If our mother is alive, then whose cremation was recorded?”
This shocking incident raises serious concerns about loopholes in the death certification process and potential insurance fraud.
