Machine declares 6-month pregnant woman ‘dead’ in Khajuraho:Treatment, medicines denied as Aadhaar blocked; husband says, ‘Official mocked us’

A case of administrative error has emerged from Ikalgaon village near Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district, where a 6-month-pregnant woman has been declared ‘dead’ in government records. Because of this, she has been denied medical treatment, medicines, and benefits under government schemes. The affected woman, Geeta Raikwar (35), lives with her husband Mangaldeen Raikwar and extended family. Despite being alive and visibly pregnant, her Aadhaar status shows her as deceased, effectively erasing her identity from official systems. ‘Machine said my wife is dead’ Mangaldeen, a daily wage labourer, said the family discovered the issue on December 28 while applying for a gas connection under the Ujjwala Yojana. When Geeta’s thumb impression was taken at the centre, a message flashed on the computer screen: ‘Aadhaar Suspended: Person is Deceased.’ Mangaldeen said, My wife was standing in front of me, but the machine was saying she was dead. Hearing this shocked my mind. From that moment, Geeta’s access to services stopped. Her bank account could not be operated, medical tests were denied, and government hospitals refused treatment without Aadhaar verification. Pregnancy at risk due to Aadhaar block Geeta, breaking down while speaking, said her pregnancy has been put at risk due to the error. She said, I am six months pregnant. Without Aadhaar, doctors are refusing tests and treatment. If something happens to my child, the system will be responsible. The family’s financial condition is weak, and Mangaldeen depends entirely on daily labour. Despite this, he had been saving money to prepare for the birth of the child. Complaint filed at police station After failing to get help locally, the couple filed a written complaint at Bamitha police station on Sunday, seeking correction of records so that Geeta can receive maternity benefits and healthcare. They said that for the past one week, they have been visiting the Jan Seva Kendra, Aadhaar Centre, and Block Office, but were told everywhere that the issue cannot be resolved at the local level. Mangaldeen asked, They are saying it will be fixed only at Bhopal or Delhi level. How can a labourer take a pregnant woman to big cities? Alleged insensitive behaviour at Panchayat The family has also alleged insensitive behaviour by local panchayat officials. Geeta’s mother-in-law Rampyari Raikwar said the panchayat secretary mocked their situation. She said, He laughed and said government records cannot be wrong. He asked us to prove that our daughter-in-law is alive. The family claimed that after the incident, some villagers have started mentally harassing them. ‘People passing by say our daughter-in-law is a ghost. We feel ashamed to step out,’ said Geeta’s brother-in-law Komal. Authorities respond Rajnagar Project Officer Rajni Shukla said the matter will be investigated. She said, The woman will receive medical treatment. We will verify that she is alive through examination at the Anganwadi centre. After verification, there will be no problem in her treatment. All possible help will be provided. Legal advice on Aadhaar correction Advocate Arun Upadhyay explained that such cases usually arise due to paperwork or data-entry errors. He said local Aadhaar centres cannot correct a ‘deceased’ status. He advised the family to submit a written complaint to the District e-Governance Officer at the Chhatarpur Collectorate. The case would then be forwarded to the UIDAI Regional Office in Bhopal, where Aadhaar reactivation can be processed. He said, The process may take around 15 days, but such major errors are correctable through official verification. Family awaits resolution For now, Geeta remains officially ‘dead’ on paper while fighting to protect her unborn child. The family says they are pinning their last hopes on the police and administration to restore her identity and ensure medical care before it is too late.