In a shocking revelation, a group of fraudsters, led by an individual identified as Wajid Imran, has been implicated in a complex scheme involving the illegal transfer of Rs. 1 crore from the Kalburgi Municipal Corporation to their accounts. This incident, occurring during an ongoing investigation into substantial financial irregularities associated with the Valmiki Development Corporation, has provided fresh ammunition for opposition parties looking to undermine the credibility of Minister Priyank Kharge in the wake of his constituency being at the centre of this scandal.
The fraudulent activities reportedly spanned from July to November 2024, during which time officials at the corporation remained seemingly oblivious to the illegal transactions under their noses. Following a belated complaint by the corporation’s chief accountant, it was only recently that law enforcement sprung into action, culminating in the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the three prime suspects on December 31, 2024.
Notably, the alleged fraudsters forged both the corporation’s seal and the signature of the Municipal Commissioner, executing cheques that ultimately led to significant monetary withdrawals, including a sizable transaction processed at a bank branch in Chennai. Questions are now being raised about the oversight and vigilance of corporation officials, particularly in light of a substantial sum of Rs. 1,86,15,663 that was deposited into the commissioner’s account via Demand Drafts attributed to the telecommunications company, Bharti Airtel Limited, during the same time frame.
Intriguingly, discussions surrounding these alarming developments had allegedly occurred between the corporation officials and the District In-charge Minister Priyank Kharge, casting a shadow over his involvement or lack of oversight in these matters. The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that the FIR is now public, revealing intricate details of the transactions and the individuals involved.
The case highlights alarming lapses within the Kalburgi Municipal Corporation, where established protocols and checks failed to prevent large-scale fraud. The corporation maintained an account at the Indian Bank branch in Kalburgi city, where 20 cheques were issued specifically for handling transactions related to drinking water supply—a crucial service for residents.
Among those implicated, Sainath, a second-grade assistant who managed the accounts from August 2021 to June 2023, had oversight of the cheques. His departure led to Mallikarjun taking over the accounts branch, which soon became scrutinised and led to the discovery of fraudulent activity.
Key transactions include two cheques totalling Rs. 95,79,668 that were presented to the bank—the first being flagged by the bank manager, who notified Mahadev Rathod, the corporation’s Auditor. Despite attempts to block these cheques, the scandal escalated, with the fraudsters successfully withdrawing substantial amounts into personal accounts held by various individuals, including Wajid Imran and two other private account holders.
The accused not only manipulated the financial instruments of the corporation but also misappropriated funds that should have served the community. The implications of this scandal are far-reaching, raising questions regarding financial governance in public institutions and the accountability of those elected to protect the interests of the citizens.
As the investigation progresses, the political fallout is expected to unfold further, with opposition parties leveraging this scandal to question Minister Priyank Kharge’s stewardship of his constituency. The unfolding narrative will require vigilance from the public and continual scrutiny of the measures being implemented to prevent such fraud in the future. As the residents of Kalburgi await accountability, this incident serves as a stern reminder of the critical nature of transparency and integrity in public service.
R P Jadhav, the chief accounts officer in charge of the Kalaburagi municipal corporation, said that he complained to the Brahmapur police station, leading to the registration of an FIR against three individuals: Wajid Imran, Mohammed Abdul Syed Rizwan and Mirza Arif Beg. The allegations against the accused involve serious charges of forgery and fraudulent withdrawals amounting to Rs 1.32 crores.
According to the details disclosed by R P Jadhav, the accused allegedly created fake documents in the name of the municipal commissioner, affixing the corporation’s seal and managing to deposit the amount into their accounts via three cheques. Upon receipt of information from bank officials, authorities stopped two cheques; however, Rs 36.56 lakhs had already been credited to Wajid Imran’s account.
The accounts in question were allegedly opened in the name of the municipal commissioner at the Indian Bank. They were reportedly being used for transactions related to the city’s ‘Drinking Water Supply Scheme’. The checks were presented at the bank in September, November, and December 2024. Alarmingly, one cheque resulted in the transfer of funds to the accused’s account, raising serious concerns regarding the municipality’s financial governance.
Further complicating matters, the FIR revealed that the accused had also transferred Rs 1.86 crores into the commissioner’s account through five demand drafts between July, August, and November of 2024. This has prompted the police to expand their investigation to cover these additional transactions.
R P Jadhav pointed out that the accused were previously engaged as contractors for the municipal corporation. However, the municipality suspended demand draft transactions last year. The recent irregularities indicate a serious breach of trust and call into question the operational integrity of the corporation.
Speaking to reporters, R P Jadhav expressed his commitment to shedding light on the full extent of the scam. It emphasised that thorough investigative measures are necessary to hold those responsible accountable. The case highlights the urgent need for increased oversight within municipal operations to prevent fraudulent activities that could severely impact public services and trust in governmental institutions.
Authorities are expected to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter, and further developments are awaited as the police delve deeper into the financial records and the web of transactions tied to these fraudulent activities.
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