Nearly ₹89 lakh has been deposited so far in connection with an alleged ₹1.28 crore arrears scam at the Construction Division Building of the Public Works Department (PWD). A three-member inquiry committee investigating one of the cases has recorded statements of the officials and employees concerned and examined the relevant documents. The committee expects to complete the investigation and submit its report by next week. Disciplinary action may follow against officials and employees found responsible for the irregularities. Meanwhile, the process of registering a First Information Report (FIR) has yet to be completed.
How Was ₹1.28 Crore Withdrawn?
The alleged scam involved the withdrawal of ₹1.28 crore in the name of outstanding salary payments and arrears for 22 employees at the PWD’s Construction Division Building. The funds were allegedly misappropriated using forged signatures of officials and employees.
The irregularities came to light after the department received a communication from the Accountant General’s (AG) office. The disclosure triggered concern within the department, from its Bareilly office to the headquarters in Lucknow.
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Who Is Investigating the Scam?
Following the discovery, the Principal Chief Engineer (Development) and Head of Department ordered an inquiry on September 21. A three-member committee was constituted to investigate one of the cases. It comprises Ram Karan Chaudhary, Chief Finance and Accounts Officer in Lucknow; Lalit Prakash Srivastava, Assistant Accounts Officer in Lucknow; and Pankaj Agrawal, Divisional Accounts Officer of Construction Division-I.
On September 22, the PWD’s Financial Controller, Vinod Kumar, issued a letter directing the committee to submit its report within a week. However, the investigation could not be completed within the stipulated period. After nearly 22 days, statements were recorded from Executive Engineer Abdul Sattar and other employees concerned, while the relevant documents were examined in detail.
According to a senior official associated with the inquiry committee, the case is being examined thoroughly because of its seriousness. Statements of the officials and employees concerned have been recorded, and the necessary documents have been obtained and reviewed.
The committee expects to complete the investigation and submit its findings by next week.
The official said that action would be recommended against anyone found responsible for the irregularities. However, the final report has not yet been submitted, and the process of determining individual responsibility remains incomplete.
Why Has the FIR Been Delayed?
After the alleged scam came to light, the PWD submitted a written complaint to the Kotwali police station on October 1, seeking registration of an FIR against unidentified persons. Although the complaint mentioned six individuals, it carried the signature of only Executive Engineer Abdul Sattar.
The police raised objections and asked the department either to obtain the signatures of the remaining five individuals or submit a fresh complaint in the name of a single authorised person.
However, the department neither submitted a fresh complaint nor obtained the additional signatures.
Subsequently, the Kotwali Station House Officer sent a letter to the City Circle Officer seeking permission to register an FIR in the case. The registration process is now awaiting a decision from the higher authorities.
Why Are Officials Facing Questions?
The developments have also raised questions about the role of local officials and the delay in initiating action. It has been alleged that despite receiving a communication from the AG’s office, the local authorities were slow to act and focused primarily on recovering the government funds.
There have also been allegations that officials shifted responsibility among themselves instead of promptly establishing accountability. Delays in initiating the FIR process have further drawn attention to the department’s handling of the case.
Senior officials have also objected to the wording used in the complaint submitted by Executive Engineer Abdul Sattar, particularly the reference to signatures being forged. According to the senior officials, whether the signatures were genuine or forged was a matter that should have been established through an investigation.
How Much Money Remains Unrecovered?
Nearly ₹89 lakh has reportedly been deposited in connection with the alleged scam, while questions remain over the recovery of the outstanding amount and the identification of those responsible.
The inquiry committee’s report is expected to clarify the findings and provide the basis for further departmental action. Meanwhile, registration of an FIR and the subsequent police investigation could help establish additional details about the alleged financial irregularities and the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of the funds.
The420 Insight: Recovery Is Not the End of Accountability
The deposit of nearly ₹89 lakh addresses part of the alleged financial loss, but it does not establish who was responsible for the withdrawals or whether the signatures were forged. The pending inquiry report and delayed FIR remain important to determining accountability. The case underlines the need to examine both the movement of public funds and the administrative response to suspected irregularities.
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