Mumbai Police Payroll Fraud: Rs 6.41 Crore Embezzled

A significant payroll fraud amounting to Rs 6.41 crore has been uncovered within the Mumbai Police Department, dating back to 2019 and 2020. The scam involved the disbursement of salaries to ten fictitious employees over two distinct periods. This fraudulent activity was brought to light approximately six years after its occurrence, during the migration of employee records to a new software platform.

Investigators revealed that ministerial-level clerks allegedly manipulated attendance and service records to create "ghost employees." These individuals, whose names were listed in the FIR, purportedly received monthly salaries directly into their bank accounts. The fraudulent payments were primarily made between December 2019 and February 2020, and again from June to September 2020.

As a result of the investigation, a case has been registered against five officials who were serving at the time of the alleged fraud. They face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy. Two suspended officials, Vijaya Chavan and Amol Meshram, are accused of creating fake Service IDs and DCPS IDs to facilitate these unauthorized payments.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that the fraud originated in 2020 and assured that thorough investigations and strict actions would continue against all those found involved. The government has pledged to ensure accountability and a complete probe into the matter.