The scam, involving forged documents and fake accounts, resulted in the misappropriation of Rs 11.26 crore between 2019 and 2022.
The fraudulent activities were uncovered during an audit by the Revenue and Accounts department in November 2022. According to officials, each death, mostly due to snake-bite, drowning, or lightning, was used to sanction Rs 4 lakh in compensation.
For instance, a woman named Dwarka Bai was declared dead 29 times, with Rs 1.16 crore disbursed in her name. Similarly, Shri Ram was declared dead 28 times, with Rs 4 lakh sanctioned each time.
'Pak' Sweets Dumped: Senseless Overreaction?
Investigation Officer Rohit Singh Kaushal stated that funds were routed into fake bank accounts, but it remains unclear whether the people listed as deceased are actually dead.
Post-mortem reports and death certificates have not been provided despite repeated requests.
Zepto Office Horror: Threats & Abuse for Techie?
The key accused is Sachin Dahayat, a clerk in the Keolari Tehsil Office, who is alleged to have orchestrated the scam by using forged documents to divert funds into accounts belonging to relatives and acquaintances. He has since been dismissed from service and arrested along with 20 others.
The investigation has named 37 individuals in total and has recommended legal action against several senior officials, including SDM Amit Singh Bamroliya and four tehsildars who served in Keolari during the period.
The detailed report has been submitted to the government and district administration, marking this as one of the most alarming frauds in recent times in the state.