In a significant move to curb the rise in illegal immigration, the Maharashtra government has formed a special investigation team (SIT) to look into the issuance of birth and death certificates for delayed applications, an official revealed on Saturday.

The SIT, led by Inspector General Datta Karale, will investigate cases where birth and death certificates have been issued despite applications being submitted well after the required period. These delayed applications, which are typically submitted at least a year after a person's birth or death, have raised concerns over their potential link to illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh.