The investigation into the alleged salary withdrawal scams in Bokaro and Hazaribagh has revealed a deeper and more interconnected network, with officials suspecting that a common “modus operandi” was used across multiple districts in Jharkhand. Preliminary findings suggest that the individuals involved were not operating in isolation, but rather as part of a coordinated system with cross-district links.
According to officials associated with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the CID, the key accused in Bokaro, identified as Kaushal Pandey, was in regular contact with personnel posted in Hazaribagh. The investigation indicates that several of these individuals had previously worked together in Palamu district, which helped them build familiarity and operational coordination over time.
Sources in the probe suggest that once the illegal withdrawals began in Bokaro, the same pattern and procedural manipulation techniques were replicated in Hazaribagh by associates of Kaushal Pandey. The use of identical methods across districts has raised concerns that a structured network may have been functioning across multiple locations within the police and accounts establishment.
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Exploiting treasury and salary loopholes
Investigators have found that the accused allegedly exploited procedural loopholes in salary and treasury systems using a standardized method to divert funds. The similarity in execution has prompted the SIT to examine whether this was an organized syndicate rather than separate isolated incidents.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the SIT is now closely analyzing service records of all accused personnel. Officials are reviewing postings, departmental transfers, and overlapping tenures to identify how and when these individuals were stationed together. The focus is on mapping out communication links and possible collaboration periods within the accounting branches of different districts.
The probe has also extended to Chaibasa district, where investigators are examining whether any of the accused personnel had connections with individuals currently under scrutiny. Authorities are trying to determine whether the network extended further beyond Bokaro and Hazaribagh, potentially indicating a wider operational structure.
Arrests, committee review, and upcoming Bokaro visit
So far, arrests have been made in connection with the case, including personnel from Bokaro’s accounts division such as a Home Guard jawan and an ASI. These arrests are part of a broader effort to dismantle the suspected network responsible for manipulating salary-related financial transactions.
In a parallel development, a high-level committee headed by Amitabh Kaushal, Principal Secretary of the Excise Department, reviewed the ongoing investigation through a video conference meeting held on Thursday. The committee assessed the progress made by district authorities and examined documentation prepared so far in connection with the scam.
Officials informed the committee that more than half of the required documents related to the investigation have already been compiled. Satisfied with the preliminary progress, the committee decided to visit Bokaro on May 8 for an on-ground review of the case and further verification of records.
During the meeting, the committee directed Bokaro district administration and police officials to submit detailed bank statements linked to DDO (Drawing and Disbursing Officer) codes. These statements will cover salary transactions over the past six years and include budget allocations, fund releases, district-level inquiry reports, and internal audit records from the finance department.
Authorities have been instructed to provide all relevant documents without delay to expedite the investigation process. The committee has emphasized that a comprehensive analysis of financial data is essential before determining the next course of action.
Officials stated that initial findings have already indicated irregularities in salary disbursement systems across multiple districts. The high-level committee, formed under the direction of the Chief Minister, is now examining whether systemic weaknesses were exploited in a coordinated manner.
The investigation is expected to intensify further once the committee completes its field review in Bokaro. Based on findings, strict action against those involved is likely, as authorities aim to uncover the full extent of the alleged multi-district financial scam network.
