New Delhi: A stark reminder of how trust in government institutions can be exploited for personal gain emerged this week, as Delhi Police’s Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) uncovered a large-scale scam operating under the banner of the National Rural Literacy Mission (NRLM). The syndicate, responsible for defrauding vendors and families across multiple states, is led by Karunakar Upadhyay, also known as Ratnakar Upadhyay, Anita Upadhyay, and Saurabh Singh.
According to police officials, the accused impersonated Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers to win the trust of vendors and families of underprivileged students. They claimed to ensure the supply of school uniforms for students from disadvantaged communities. Vendors, deceived by the scheme, paid substantial amounts in commission, advance fees, and processing charges but ultimately received neither payments nor the uniforms they were promised.
One vendor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said,
“I sent all the uniforms I had worked hard for, but the money never came. They even asked me to pay crores to secure a tender, but it was all part of the fraud. We were completely deceived.”
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Investigations revealed that the syndicate operated not only in Delhi but also had similar cases reported in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Saurabh Singh, one of the accused, has a criminal record that includes cases under the Gangsters Act.
During the raids, police seized approximately 45,000 school uniforms valued at 1.5 crore rupees, 2.79 lakh rupees in cash, gold rings, and chains. Authorities also identified two flats and a car believed to have been acquired through illicit means. Legal proceedings to attach these assets are underway, and the car has been seized.
Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) noted,
“A complaint filed on May 22 alleged that the accused registered as vendors under NRLM, promised the supply of school uniforms, collected payments, and subsequently failed to deliver.”
Experts say the case represents a modern example of organized financial fraud, exploiting the names of government institutions to gain trust. It specifically targets vendors and underprivileged students, making it a particularly insidious scheme.
Police have emphasized that these arrests mark only the beginning. The investigation is expanding to identify and reach other victims, ensuring accountability across all cases.
The case underscores the extent to which the names of government programs can be misused and highlights the need for public vigilance against such fraudulent schemes.
