Raichur Property Dispute Erupts Over Alleged Fake Death Certificate

A serious property dispute has come to light in Manvi town of Raichur district, where 70 year old Mohammed Sharafuddin allegedly found himself officially declared dead despite being alive.

Sharafuddin, who is reportedly in poor physical condition and has difficulty walking, has been visiting government offices seeking restoration of properties that he claims were acquired using fraudulent records.

The case concerns six houses and two shops in Manvi. Sharafuddin had reportedly worked for several years as an official in Mumbai and Bahrain and sent his earnings to his wife, Rasool Bee. The couple used the money to acquire the properties.

Following his wife’s death, a woman identified as Karishma has allegedly obtained a death certificate in Sharafuddin’s name and used it to claim the properties. The allegations have raised questions about how such a document could have been issued while the person concerned was still alive.

There are also discrepancies in the records. Sharafuddin’s original name is reportedly recorded as Mohammed Sharafuddin, son of Khaja Pir Sab, while the disputed death certificate mentions Sharafuddin, son of Pir Sab.

A report from the Manvi Tahsildar reportedly found that the person named on the death certificate did not reside at the address associated with the document. A revenue department report issued in 2025 also reportedly confirmed that Sharafuddin was alive.

Local activist Shivraj has alleged that some officials and staff of the Manvi municipal administration may have been involved in issuing the disputed document. He has called for a detailed investigation and immediate steps to protect Sharafuddin’s property rights.

Manvi municipal commissioner Parashuram Devamane, however, said there were discrepancies in the documents and noted that earlier petitions submitted before the court and government authorities had been rejected. He also said the Tahsildar’s report was not known to him and could be challenged legally if necessary.

The allegations have now put the spotlight on the handling of death certificates and property records. Activists are demanding a thorough investigation to establish how the certificate was issued and whether anyone misused official records to gain control of the elderly man’s assets.

For Sharafuddin, the dispute is more than a paperwork issue. He is seeking the return of property he says was built from his own earnings and wants authorities to ensure that the records accurately reflect that he is alive.