The affected woman, Geeta Raikwar (35), a resident of Ikalgaon village near Khajuraho, was listed as deceased in the Aadhaar database, effectively blocking her identity across government systems. As a result, hospitals refused medical tests and treatment, and her bank account and welfare benefits were frozen.

The issue came to light on December 28 when Geeta’s husband, Mangaldeen Raikwar, a daily wage labourer, visited a centre to apply for a gas connection under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. When Geeta’s biometric authentication was attempted, the system displayed the message: “Aadhaar Suspended: Person is Deceased.”

“My wife was standing in front of me, but the machine said she was dead. I was shocked,” Mangaldeen said. From that moment, the family’s access to services stopped, including maternity care at government hospitals that require Aadhaar verification.

Geeta said the error has put her pregnancy at risk. “I am six months pregnant. Doctors are refusing tests and treatment without Aadhaar. If anything happens to my child, the system will be responsible,” she said, breaking down while speaking.

With limited financial means, the family has struggled to seek private medical care. Mangaldeen said they have spent the past week moving between the Jan Seva Kendra, Aadhaar Centre and Block Office, only to be told that the correction cannot be made locally. “They say it will be fixed only in Bhopal or Delhi. How can a labourer take a pregnant woman so far?” he asked.

On Sunday, the couple filed a written complaint at Bamitha police station, seeking urgent correction of records to restore access to healthcare and maternity benefits.

The family has also alleged insensitive behaviour by local panchayat officials. Geeta’s mother-in-law, Rampyari Raikwar, claimed a panchayat secretary mocked them and asked them to prove that Geeta was alive. Relatives said the situation has led to social harassment in the village.

Responding to the case, Rajnagar Project Officer Rajni Shukla said the matter would be investigated. “The woman will receive medical treatment. Verification will be done through the Anganwadi centre, and all possible help will be provided,” she said.

Legal expert Arun Upadhyay said such cases usually stem from data-entry errors and can only be corrected through the District e-Governance Office and UIDAI’s regional office. “The process may take about 15 days, but the error is correctable after verification,” he said.

Until then, Geeta remains officially “dead” on paper, while her family waits for swift administrative action to safeguard her health and that of her unborn child.