New Delhi. A financial irregularity has surfaced in Delhi’s night shelter system after a CBI probe allegedly found that “ghost employees” were shown on payrolls to draw salaries and government funds without actually working at the shelters. The investigation has flagged suspected fake appointments, manipulated attendance records and irregular salary payments linked to shelters operating under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board.
CBI Registers FIR After Union Complaints
The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a First Information Report on charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating after two complaints were filed by officials of the Delhi Shelter Homes Workers Union. The complaints alleged systematic misuse of public funds through fake staffing records and salary disbursements.
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Investigators found that an NGO, its head and associated staff members allegedly created a system in which employees were shown as appointed on paper, while several of them never reported for duty. Despite their absence, salaries and government reimbursements were allegedly processed in their names.
Attendance and Salary Records Under Scrutiny
According to sources familiar with the investigation, discrepancies were found in attendance registers, salary disbursement records and work logs. In some cases, the same person allegedly appeared under different roles, while in others, names were linked to persons who were either non-existent or could not be verified.
The CBI probe also suggests that mandatory inspections required under the Standard Operating Procedure dated January 4, 2024, were not carried out by the concerned officials. Investigators believe this failure allowed the shelter management system to bypass checks and continue payments linked to fictitious employees.
Officials suspect the irregularities go beyond payroll fraud and point to wider misuse of public welfare funds. Early findings indicate that payments were issued to individuals who were never physically present for work at the shelters.
Probe Looks at Possible Collusion
The FIR names the NGO’s head, two subordinate staff members and unidentified public and private individuals. Authorities suspect possible internal collusion, as the scale and continuity of the irregularities suggest coordinated involvement.
Investigators also found that several inspections may have existed only on paper, with either no actual verification or only superficial checks. Officials say this points to gaps in accountability and oversight within the shelter system.
The investigation is now examining bank records, salary distribution channels and digital transaction data to determine the total amount allegedly siphoned and identify all those involved. CBI officials believe the case reflects how welfare schemes can be exploited through ghost employee structures to divert government funds.
The probe remains ongoing, and further scrutiny may reveal additional names and links, potentially widening the case into a larger network of financial irregularities involving multiple actors across departments and agencies.
