A major financial irregularity linked to salary funds has surfaced in Jharkhand’s Gumla district, where a suspected fraudulent withdrawal of ₹28.39 lakh from the district treasury has been detected during an audit of IFMS (Integrated Financial Management System) data conducted by the Accountant General. The transactions are alleged to have taken place in multiple phases between 2017 and 2025, raising serious concerns at the administrative level.
Following the revelation, Gumla Deputy Commissioner Dileshwar Mahato has sought an immediate and detailed investigation report from concerned departmental officials. Directions have been issued to the District Education Superintendent (DSE) and other responsible officers to conduct a thorough probe and submit findings to the headquarters so that the actual facts can be established.
As part of the investigation process, several Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) and officials have been identified for scrutiny. These include DSP Birendra Toppo, Ghanshyam Choubey (GMS Patratoli), and Priyashree Bhagat (Government Middle School Morhatoli). Financial records, salary disbursement data, and transaction histories linked to these officials are currently under examination.
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Show‑cause notice and alleged non‑cooperation
In a parallel development, the Finance Department has taken a strict stance in the matter. A show-cause notice has been issued to the Gumla Treasury Officer through letter number 249 dated April 28, 2026, directing a response within 24 hours. The notice states that non-cooperation with the district-level investigation committee is a serious violation and reflects administrative negligence.
To investigate the alleged irregularities, a district-level committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of DRDA Director Vidyabhushan Kumar. The committee has been tasked with conducting a detailed inquiry into suspected fraudulent withdrawals from salary heads and identifying lapses in the financial system.
In its communication to the Finance Department, the committee has alleged that the Treasury Officer is not extending adequate cooperation during the investigation process. This lack of cooperation, according to the committee, is further deepening suspicion over possible attempts to conceal financial irregularities.
The committee has also expressed concern that obstruction in the investigation could indicate efforts to suppress evidence related to the alleged scam. It noted that the irregularity came to light after inputs from the Accountant General were reviewed, following which the ₹28.39 lakh suspicious withdrawal was identified.
Systemic risk and administrative alarm
The Finance Department has termed the conduct of the Treasury Officer as a serious case of indiscipline and disregard for official orders. It has instructed that full cooperation must be extended to the investigation committee and a detailed explanation must be submitted within the stipulated timeframe. The department has also warned that failure to comply will be treated as a serious administrative lapse and may lead to strict disciplinary action.
Officials familiar with the matter suggest that the case may not be limited to a simple accounting error but could point toward a systematic pattern of irregular withdrawals over several years. The possibility of manipulation in salary processing and fund allocation systems is also being examined.
At present, the entire matter remains under investigation, with authorities focusing on tracing the exact flow of funds, identifying responsible individuals, and determining whether the irregularities were isolated incidents or part of a larger network.
The case has raised serious questions about financial monitoring systems at the district level and the effectiveness of treasury oversight mechanisms. Administrative agencies are now working to uncover the full extent of the suspected irregularities and ensure accountability at every level involved.
