Baburam Bhil, a 40-year-old resident of Mithora village in Rajasthan, faced a bureaucratic nightmare when the Indian government mistakenly issued a death certificate in his name.
This official document declared him dead, despite his continued presence and activities in the village.
Bhil's attempts to resolve this critical error included appealing to both village elders and state authorities. However, his efforts to prove he was still alive were met with indifference and inaction from the bureaucratic system.
This situation left Bhil in a precarious position, unable to access his rights or manage his affairs as the government officially regarded him as deceased.
The issuance of a death certificate had severe implications for Bhil.
He was particularly concerned about the potential seizure of his property, which could occur under the pretence that it was now without a living owner.
Bhil's fear of losing his assets, coupled with his frustration over the authorities' lack of response, drove him to take extreme action.
On July 19th, he armed himself with a knife and a petrol bottle and headed to Chuli Bera Dharana School, a local educational institution.
Once there, Bhil attacked two teachers—acting Headmaster Hardayal and teacher Suresh Kumar—as well as a parent.
The incident escalated as Bhil took several students and teachers hostage, intending to draw attention to his plight and force a resolution.
His actions led to a tense standoff until police arrived and arrested him, bringing the situation under control.
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During his interrogation, Bhil provided a rationale for his drastic actions. He explained that the wrongful declaration of his death had left him in a state of desperation.
He had explored all legal avenues to annul the erroneous death certificate, but his efforts had been in vain.
Bhil believed that by committing these crimes, he could irrefutably prove his existence.
Baburam Bhil in police custody after arrest
His reasoning was that being arrested and having his name recorded in police files would serve as undeniable evidence that he was alive.
This act, while illegal and dangerous, was a desperate attempt to force the authorities to acknowledge his existence and rectify the bureaucratic error that had rendered him legally dead.
Not an Isolated Incident
Bhil's ordeal is not an isolated case in India, where issues with bureaucratic errors are not uncommon.
In November 2023, another individual, a 70-year-old man, faced a similar situation.
He resorted to walking through the streets of Agra with a placard that read 'I'm alive' after the government erroneously issued a death certificate in his name.
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Investigation Underway
Following Bhil's arrest, the police launched an investigation into his claims. The initial police response focused on detaining him for the violent acts he committed at the school.
However, as details of his case emerged, the investigation shifted to verifying the validity of the death certificate and Bhil's assertion that he was still alive.
The police are now reviewing official records and documents related to Bhil's case, including the contested death certificate. They are also gathering evidence from Bhil's statements and any supporting documentation he may have provided.
This investigation is crucial for determining the truth of Bhil's situation and whether the government will correct the erroneous death declaration.
Next Steps
The aftermath of Bhil's actions has left several people injured, who were subsequently taken to a hospital in Jodhpur for treatment.
As the police investigation continues, the focus will be on establishing Bhil's identity and rectifying the error that declared him dead.
The investigation will likely involve cross-checking government records, interviewing witnesses, and possibly conducting legal proceedings to annul the death certificate.
The outcome of this case could have broader implications for how such bureaucratic errors are handled in India, potentially leading to reforms that prevent similar incidents in the future.