Authorities in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district have ordered the attachment of assets worth ₹4.49 crore belonging to Rajesh Kumar, a former district social welfare officer who was dismissed from service after being identified as the alleged kingpin of a large-scale old-age pension scam. The move marks a decisive escalation in the crackdown on a network accused of siphoning public funds meant for vulnerable senior citizens.
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The attachment order covers both movable and immovable properties held in the name of Rajesh Kumar as well as assets registered under his immediate family members. Officials said the action has been initiated under provisions of the state’s anti-gangster legislation, which allows confiscation of property believed to have been acquired through organised criminal activity.
The case dates back to March 2023, when irregularities surfaced in the district’s old-age pension programme. Investigators found that pension payments meant for eligible beneficiaries had been systematically diverted by altering bank account details within official systems. According to the findings, at least 2,390 elderly beneficiaries were affected after their legitimate accounts were replaced with those of ineligible recipients.
The manipulation resulted in the alleged misappropriation of ₹2.52 crore, prompting a criminal investigation and the registration of a case against Rajesh Kumar and eight others. All accused were arrested during the initial phase of the probe and later sent to judicial custody.
Investigators said the fraud was executed in a planned manner, with the accused allegedly using unauthorised devices and digital credentials to access the pension database. By tampering with records on the government’s payment platform, the group is accused of rerouting funds over an extended period during the 2022–23 financial year.
Subsequent investigations led to the invocation of the Uttar Pradesh Gangsters and Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, 1986, against all nine accused. Officials described the operation as an organised racket rather than an isolated act of corruption, citing repeated transactions and coordinated roles within the group. Rajesh Kumar has been identified as the leader who allegedly orchestrated the scheme.
As part of the latest action, authorities have moved to seize a range of high-value assets. These include a Mahindra SUV, a Mahindra Bolero, and a Honda Elevate ZX registered in the name of Rajesh Kumar’s son. In addition, several immovable properties are slated for attachment, including agricultural land in Sitapur district, a residential building constructed on a 120.817-square-metre plot along the Para Ring Road in Lucknow registered in the name of his wife, and a guest house located in the Kakori area of Lucknow.
Officials said the combined market value of the properties stands at ₹4,49,24,948, significantly exceeding the amount allegedly siphoned from the pension scheme. The attachment order is intended to recover illicit gains and deter similar offences within the welfare delivery system.
Rajesh Kumar was formally dismissed from government service in November 2025, following departmental proceedings linked to the criminal case. Authorities said the confiscation process will begin shortly, with teams tasked to take physical possession of the identified assets in accordance with legal procedures.
The case has once again highlighted vulnerabilities in welfare schemes that rely heavily on digital platforms and local administrative oversight. Experts note that while technology has streamlined benefit transfers, weak controls and insider access can expose systems to abuse if safeguards are not rigorously enforced.
For residents of Shahjahanpur, the alleged scam has carried a particularly bitter sting. Many of the affected beneficiaries depend entirely on monthly pensions for basic sustenance. Investigators said efforts are underway to ensure that legitimate beneficiaries are restored to the rolls and compensated through corrective payments.
With the asset seizure now underway, authorities say the focus will remain on concluding the trial expeditiously and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to prevent recurrence. The outcome of the case is being closely watched as a test of the state’s resolve to tackle organised corruption in welfare programmes and hold senior officials accountable.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
