Varanasi: Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested five retired Education Department employees in connection with an alleged pension fraud case in Varanasi. The accused are suspected of fraudulently obtaining pension benefits and causing wrongful loss to the government exchequer. Police have registered a case under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and launched a detailed investigation. Officials said the probe will not be limited to the arrested individuals but will also examine the entire pension disbursement mechanism and identify any additional beneficiaries who may have been involved.
According to police, the arrests were made on July 22 during a special anti-crime operation. A police team conducting routine checks in the Kotwali police station area detained the five accused near Lanka Bus Stand. Based on preliminary questioning and available documentary evidence, legal proceedings were initiated against them.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Ghooma Singh Yadav (72), Banwari Singh Yadav (71), Patiraj Ram (67), Dubri Singh Yadav (66), and Ram Awadh Singh Yadav (66). All five are retired employees of the Education Department. Police said their alleged involvement surfaced during an investigation into irregular financial transactions linked to pension payments.
An FIR has been registered at Kotwali Police Station under Sections 318(4), 338, 336(3), and 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigators are now trying to determine the duration of the alleged fraud, the total amount of money wrongfully withdrawn, and whether any other individuals or officials were involved.
Officials said records related to pension disbursement, bank accounts, service records, and financial transactions are being examined in detail. Relevant documents have also been sought from the concerned government departments to establish whether the alleged irregularities resulted from administrative lapses or a deliberate conspiracy to misuse the pension system.
Police are also investigating whether forged documents, false declarations, or fabricated records were used during the pension approval and payment process. If additional evidence emerges during the investigation, more charges could be added and further arrests may follow.
As part of the probe, investigators are scrutinising banking documents, payment records, and electronic transaction trails. Officials believe that documentary and digital evidence will play a crucial role in establishing the sequence of events. If required, forensic examination of financial transactions may also be carried out.
Police officials said maintaining transparency in government welfare schemes and pension systems remains a priority. They emphasised that anyone found to have fraudulently obtained government funds would face strict legal action. Authorities are also examining whether similar irregularities exist in other pension accounts or whether additional beneficiaries may have been involved.
Following preliminary investigation, the accused were produced before the court and remanded in accordance with legal procedures. Police said the investigation remains ongoing and further action will depend on documentary evidence, financial records, and statements recorded during questioning. Officials added that if evidence points to a larger network, departmental collusion, or additional financial irregularities, the scope of the investigation will be expanded. For now, investigators are examining every aspect of the case to uncover the full extent of the alleged pension fraud.
