A major salary scam has come to light in Haryana’s Sonipat district, where a retired water worker allegedly continued receiving salary for 22 months after reaching the retirement age. Another employee is simultaneously accused of remaining in active service through deep discrepancies in his age-related records.
Following a comprehensive official investigation, formal disciplinary action has been initiated against five officials and departmental employees found responsible for serious administrative lapses.
The systemic matter surfaced after a detailed complaint regarding financial irregularities and the misuse of government funds was submitted to higher authorities in September 2025. The complaint alleged that statutory service rules were being deliberately ignored in the Ganaur block and that certain employees were being granted undue benefits, resulting in financial losses to the government.
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The Case of Post-Retirement Overpayments
During the investigation, the specific case of a water worker named Rohtas from Shekhpura village came under intense scrutiny. According to the inquiry findings, he continued to receive regular salary payments for approximately 22 months even after attaining his prescribed retirement age.
The inquiry was assigned to the Chief Executive Officer of the District Council, who reportedly found that salary payments had continuously been cleared beyond the permissible service period.
Following the definitive findings, the department fixed a recovery amount of ₹2,91,720 against the employee. The recovery proceedings have raised further questions within administrative circles.
Sources indicated that the worker had expressed his inability to repay the entire amount due to severe financial constraints. Subsequently, internal discussions emerged regarding how the recovery amount was deposited and whether officials involved in the matter attempted to shield themselves from accountability. However, no official confirmation has been issued regarding those claims.
Age Manipulation and Conflicting Records
A second distinct case involved Shravan, a water worker operating from Kailana village. According to the original complaint, his actual age is around 75 years, while certain official documents reportedly show him as being only 62 years old.
It has been alleged that these core discrepancies in age-related records enabled him to continue in government service and receive a salary despite being well beyond the standard retirement age.
Initial reports submitted by regional departmental officials had stated that the employee’s age records were entirely correct. However, higher authorities were not satisfied with the explanation after reviewing various documents.
Significant differences were allegedly found in birth-related records, identity documents, and departmental files, prompting fresh orders for a detailed re-investigation. Officials are now examining all available records to determine the employee’s actual age and establish how conflicting information entered the system.
Administrative Action and Systematic Verification
The detailed investigation conducted at the district level strongly questioned the role of five officials and employees, including current and former administrative functionaries. The inquiry concluded that serious negligence occurred in the verification of service records, salary processing, and age documentation.
Based on the findings, the Director of the Panchayati Raj Department ordered disciplinary proceedings against the officials concerned. During the inquiry, the individuals involved allegedly admitted that mistakes had occurred at their level, describing them as unintentional errors and requesting that the matter be closed without further action.
However, the investigating authority prepared a comprehensive report based on available documents and evidence and forwarded it to higher authorities for further action. The department subsequently decided to proceed with strict disciplinary measures.
Administrative experts believe that such cases highlight the critical importance of regular audits, proper verification mechanisms, and complete transparency in salary and service record management within government departments to protect the public exchequer.
