Kanpur. An assistant engineer posted as a junior engineer at Kanpur Electricity Supply Company Limited (KESCO) has been arrested and sent to jail in connection with an alleged ₹1.52 crore scrap scam involving electrical equipment. The accused, identified as JE Munna Yadav, was arrested by police on Tuesday and subsequently suspended by the department. During questioning, Yadav allegedly disclosed the involvement of an executive engineer (XEN) and some other persons in the suspected irregularities and reportedly provided evidence to investigators.
The case was registered at Gwaltoli Police Station on the complaint of JE Store Ramesh Chandra. According to the complaint, KESCO had conducted an auction of scrap lying in its store on June 17. A company named M.A. Traders, based in Bharuch, Gujarat, was awarded the contract to purchase 35.161 tonnes of iron poles classified as scrap for ₹20.04 lakh.
The company’s trucks had already made three trips to transport the auctioned material. During the fourth and final trip, approximately 10 tonnes of scrap was supposed to be taken out of the store. However, it is alleged that, with the involvement of store personnel, nearly 22 tonnes of material was loaded onto the truck instead.
The alleged irregularity came to light when JE Ramesh Yadav became suspicious and followed the truck. The vehicle was located in Shastrinagar, where the driver produced a weighbridge slip. The quantity recorded on the slip was more than double the material that was reportedly authorised for removal, raising questions about the movement of scrap from the KESCO store.
Following the incident, KESCO management had initiated departmental action. The then XEN in charge of the store, Shrikant Rangila, was removed from the store charge and transferred to the Network and Data Analysis Division. JE Munna Yadav was also removed from the store and transferred to the Technical Vertical at Babupurwa substation.
A departmental inquiry was subsequently assigned to Superintending Engineer (Project) Anurag Katiyar. The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the alleged excess loading and movement of material from the store.
After the police investigation progressed, Yadav was arrested and sent to judicial custody. DCP Central Atul Srivastava said the accused JE had provided information regarding the alleged involvement of the XEN and some other persons. Police will question the individuals named by Yadav and verify the evidence provided by him.
Investigators are also examining whether the alleged irregularity was limited to the excess removal of scrap or involved a larger scheme concerning the disposal of electrical equipment. According to police, there are allegations that equipment that was still usable was also being classified as scrap and moved into the disposal process.
The investigation will therefore focus on how various electrical items were declared scrap and whether proper technical assessment and valuation procedures were followed. Investigators are examining store stock registers, records showing receipt and issue of equipment, valuation reports and documents related to the auction and disposal of scrap.
The role of officials responsible for maintaining and verifying these records is also being examined. Investigators are expected to compare the authorised quantity of scrap with the material actually transported, along with weighbridge records, auction documents and other relevant evidence.
If the investigation establishes that usable equipment was deliberately declared scrap or that the quantity of material removed was manipulated, further arrests and departmental action could follow. Authorities may also examine whether the suspected irregularities caused financial losses to KESCO and identify those responsible for approving or facilitating the transactions.
The arrest of the JE has therefore widened the scope of the probe. Police are now expected to question the officials and other persons whose names have emerged during the investigation and establish whether the alleged ₹1.52 crore scam involved a coordinated network within the store and disposal process. Further action will depend on the evidence gathered during the ongoing investigation.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
