Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Indian Woman's 3-Year Struggle to Reverse Official 'Death'
Imagine if you went to the government office to get a death certificate for your husband, but they made a mistake and said you were dead instead!
This happened to Saroj Devi in India.
Because of this mistake, her important ID card stopped working, and she had a hard time doing everyday things.
She spent three years trying to fix this big mistake, but no one helped her.
Finally, her story became known, and the government is now working quickly to make sure everyone knows she is alive again.
Saroj Devi, a 58-year-old woman, was declared dead due to a clerical error in 2022.
The mistake occurred when she applied for her husband's death certificate.
Her Aadhaar was deactivated, and she lost access to essential services.
Saroj Devi spent three years trying to correct the error, facing 'official apathy'.
Local administration has now taken up her case to rectify the mistake.
- Who
- Saroj Devi, a 58-year-old woman
- What
- Declared officially dead due to a clerical error, leading to the deactivation of her Aadhaar and inability to access basic services. The error is now being rectified.
- When
- The error occurred on January 1, 2022, and her ordeal came to public attention on November 15.
- Where
- Chamar Nagaria village, Khair tehsil, Uttar Pradesh
- Why
- A clerical error made while Saroj Devi was applying for her late husband's death certificate.
Administrative Error
Personal Struggle
Mistaken Death Certificate
Administrative Error
The error occurred when Saroj Devi applied for her husband's death certificate.
Personal Struggle
Saroj Devi was trying to get closure over her husband's passing.
Aadhaar Deactivation
Administrative Error
The error led to Saroj Devi's Aadhaar being deactivated.
Personal Struggle
Saroj Devi lost access to essential services tied to identity verification.
Official Apathy
Administrative Error
Saroj Devi faced 'official apathy' while trying to correct the error.
Personal Struggle
She spent three years trying to rectify the administrative error, facing 'official apathy'.
- Name
- Saroj Devi
- Age
- 58
- Location
- Chamar Nagaria village, Khair tehsil, Uttar Pradesh
- Date of Error
- January 1, 2022
- Event Leading to Error
- Application for husband's death certificate
- Consequences
- Aadhaar deactivation, loss of access to basic services