In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the Kalaburagi Municipal Corporation, five individuals, including the personal assistant (PA) to the Municipal Commissioner, have been apprehended by local authorities in a case involving the forgery of the Commissioner’s signature on municipal cheques. This alleged conspired scheme led to the looting of an astonishing Rs 36 lakh, according to police officials.
Kalaburagi City Police Commissioner Dr Sharanappa Dhage detailed the arrests during a press conference, revealing the identities of those taken into custody. The accused include Mohammad Naimuddin, the PA to the Municipal Commissioner, alongside Wajid Imran, Mirza Areep Baig, Nasir Ahmed, and Mohammad Abdul Rehman. Among those arrested, Naimuddin holds a pivotal role as the Commissioner’s assistant, with two others being municipal employees, which raises serious questions about internal oversight and security within the Corporation.
The investigation unveiled a troubling narrative behind the coordination of this fraudulent operation. It was reported that Naimuddin, facing pressure from an outstanding bank loan, strategised a scheme with accomplices to alleviate his financial burden through illicit means. The plot thickened as they amassed five Demand Drafts (DDs) from Airtel, exploiting their access to the municipal financial resources.
As highlighted by Commissioner Dhage, the Municipal Corporation maintains a regular bank account, with a significant deposit of Rs. 1.65 crore allocated to a water supply fund that typically sees infrequent activity. This lack of regular transactions created an opportunity for the accused, who reportedly intended to execute a withdrawal using counterfeit signatures – a move they hoped would go unnoticed amid the infrequent account activity.
On November 27, the group initiated their plan by successfully depositing the initial Rs. 36 lakh, subsequently transferring the funds into a colleague’s bank account. In a frenzied bid to seize even more money, the conspirators attempted to deposit additional cheques amounting to Rs. 46 lakh and Rs. 49 lakh. However, their scheme unravelled when the bank manager grew suspicious and took action to halt any further transactions, effectively averting a much larger loss to the municipal funds.
As of now, authorities have managed to recover Rs. 30.75 lakh from the total amount defrauded, and an additional Rs. 49,000 has been frozen in another account linked to the suspects. The swift action taken by the Kalaburagi City Police reflects their commitment to addressing public corruption and ensuring accountability among municipal officials.
The revelations surrounding this case have raised concerns about the integrity of the city’s financial management systems and the mechanisms in place to prevent such fraudulent activities. As investigations continue, the police have vowed to pursue all leads to hold accountable those directly involved and any other municipal officials who may have turned a blind eye to the discrepancies that enabled this scheme.
As the community grapples with the scandal’s implications, citizens are left to ponder how deep the roots of corruption may run within their local government. The Kalaburagi Municipal Corporation, now embroiled in a scandal that strikes at the heart of public trust, must work diligently to restore confidence among its residents. Further updates are anticipated as police continue their inquiries, and the legal process unfolds for the accused.
According to the details disclosed by R P Jadhav, chief accounts officer of the city corporation, 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.
