A political controversy has emerged in Jharkhand regarding alleged illicit withdrawals from government treasuries in the Hazaribagh and Bokaro districts. The opposition party, BJP, is calling for an investigation by a central agency, while the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) asserts that these “irregularities” originated during the tenure of the previous BJP administration.
The issue was initially uncovered this week at the Bokaro Treasury, where it is claimed that Rs 3.15 crore was withdrawn over a span of 20 months under the pretense of salaries for a police employee who had retired in 2016. In response, the Deputy Commissioner of Bokaro initiated a formal inquiry.
During this investigation, it was reportedly discovered that Kaushal Pandey, an accountant in the Bokaro police department, was responsible for diverting the funds into his wife’s bank account. He has since been taken into custody.
Similar allegations have arisen in Hazaribagh district, where illegal withdrawals from the police treasury were initially reported at Rs 15 crore, which later escalated to nearly Rs 27 crore. Authorities have arrested five individuals, including three police personnel, and the wives of two of the accused have also reportedly been implicated and are now in judicial custody.
In light of these developments, the state government announced a CID investigation. On April 10, Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore mandated a comprehensive inquiry into fraudulent salary withdrawals across all government treasuries.
However, the BJP has criticized this decision as a cover-up, asserting that the CID operates under the state government. During a press conference on Saturday, BJP spokesperson Pratul Shah Deo expressed concerns about the appropriateness of having the same police force investigate a case involving their own members. He stated, “We oppose the government’s decision to hand this case to the CID, as the Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) at district levels are often of ASP and DSP ranks, who also work with the CID. It is illogical for them to investigate a case involving their own colleagues. We demand the involvement of the CBI and the ED in this matter.”
BJP state spokesperson Ajay Sah referred to the situation as “fodder scam part 2,” alleging that the fraud is more intricate and organized than currently portrayed. He suggested that a thorough investigation could reveal the involvement of prominent individuals within the white-collar sector.
The BJP further claimed that preliminary estimates indicate the total amount involved in the scam across the two districts could reach Rs 33 crore, and suggested that a broader investigation throughout the state may unveil a scandal larger than the infamous fodder scam. They have also raised questions about the impartiality of a police-led investigation into a matter concerning the police itself and reiterated the call for a CBI probe.
Addressing the Bokaro case, where accountant Pandey has been detained, Sah expressed skepticism about the notion that a single employee could orchestrate numerous illegal withdrawals over an extended period without higher-level complicity. He also urged an examination of senior police officials responsible for financial oversight at the district level.
In response to these allegations, the Jharkhand Police Association has called for a high-level inquiry. Its president, Rahul Murmu, emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, suggesting that the issue may involve irregularities across various departments.
Reacting to the BJP’s claims, the JMM stated that the treasury irregularities are not a new issue and trace back to the previous BJP government. Party spokesperson Vinod Pandey accused the Raghubar Das administration of fostering a system that allowed such misconduct, citing inadequate transparency and accountability during that period.
The JMM has maintained that the current Hemant Soren administration is committed to tackling corruption and has taken decisive action in the case. They assured that no one, regardless of their stature, would escape accountability and affirmed that the law would be upheld.
