Sarpanch in Sonepat dist held in pension scam case

The sarpanch of Ahir Majra village, in Sonepat district, was arrested on Saturday for collecting pensions of individuals who had died, but were shown as alive on paper by the sarpanch.

According to the police, Ramesh, a Sonepat resident, had filed an applications under Right to Information Act seeking information on the disbursal of old-age pension in the district. While scrutinising the records, Ramesh found certain discrepancies and informed the police, seeking registration of a criminal case in this regard. The matter was referred to a Special Investigation Team of Sonepat district police force after which the arrests were made.

During interrogation of Dharambir, the village sarpanch, the SIT found that Dharambir and some of his accomplices posted in the Social Welfare Department had colluded with each other and siphoned of old-age pension money for July 2012, by showing eight dead persons as alive.

"Dharambir is being interrogated for unearthing the entire modus operandi. All those who helped Dharambir in committing this crime shall also be nabbed soon," said one of the investigating police officers.

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