Nashik: The Nashik Crime Branch has arrested education trust director Sanjay Bhaskarrao Garud (67) in connection with Maharashtra’s alleged ₹160 crore Shalarth ID scam. Investigators allege that forged appointment approvals, fabricated documents and fake entries in the state’s Shalarth payroll system were used to fraudulently withdraw government salaries and arrears in the names of teaching and non-teaching staff, causing an estimated loss of around ₹160 crore to the state exchequer.
According to police, Garud is the founder-director of the Shendurni Education Society and manages several educational institutions in Jalgaon district. He was arrested from a farmhouse in Natepute, Solapur district, after investigators tracked his location through technical surveillance and confidential intelligence.
The case was registered at Nashik Road Police Station in March 2026 following a complaint filed by the Office of the Deputy Director of Education, Nashik Division. During the investigation, police found that 841 teaching and non-teaching employees across Nashik, Jalgaon, Dhule and Nandurbar districts had allegedly been fraudulently added to the Shalarth salary management system. Investigators claim that these entries were created despite the absence of valid recruitment proposals or approvals from the competent authorities, allowing salaries to be disbursed through forged appointment orders and fabricated Shalarth IDs.
Police further alleged that Garud facilitated fake approval records for 177 teaching and non-teaching employees across 15 educational institutions managed by him. According to investigators, no legitimate recruitment proposals had been submitted to the education officer’s office for these appointments. Authorities believe the fraudulent entries enabled the illegal withdrawal of government funds over several years.
So far, the investigation has brought more than 200 schools under scrutiny, while over 1,200 individuals have been identified as accused in the wider conspiracy. Five people have been arrested in the case to date. Police said they are analysing seized documents, digital records and financial transactions to uncover the full extent of the network and determine the involvement of other suspects.
Investigators also found that forged Shalarth IDs were allegedly created in the names of employees who did not actually exist. These fabricated profiles were then used to process government salaries and other financial benefits. Police believe the scam involved large-scale document forgery, manipulation of official records and systematic misuse of administrative procedures.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said financial fraud involving forged identities and manipulated digital government systems poses a serious threat to public funds. He stressed the need for stronger digital verification mechanisms, regular audits, data analytics-based monitoring and multi-layer authentication to detect fraudulent entries before public money is disbursed.
The case is being investigated by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government. Earlier in the probe, a former Zilla Parishad education officer was also arrested for his alleged role in the scam. Investigators said irregularities detected in the Shalarth portal indicated that forged appointment approvals, fake employee records and fabricated Shalarth IDs had been used for years to fraudulently withdraw government funds. Police added that a detailed examination of financial records, digital evidence and official documents is continuing, and further arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
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.
