- By Kamakshi Bishnoi
- Thu, 29 May 2025 12:00 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a significant development in the multi-crore food grain scam, the Uttar Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has recommended departmental action against 30 former District Supply Officers of the Supply Department. These officials have been found guilty of manipulating Aadhaar numbers to fraudulently divert ration meant for the poor in Meerut, Agra, and Bareilly divisions.
According to sources, the CID has submitted its detailed investigation report to the state government, revealing that in each district, rations intended for 800 to 1,000 genuine beneficiaries were siphoned off every month. The scam involved tampering with Aadhaar details in the database, allowing fraudsters to collect ration using biometric authentication, while the actual beneficiaries received nothing.
The CID was assigned 134 cases related to the scam, out of which investigations into 110 have been completed. The remaining 24 are expected to conclude soon. The probe, initially led by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), was transferred to the CID last year after the scam’s scope widened from Meerut to include Agra and Bareilly.
The case first came to light in 2018 when a supply inspector filed a complaint at a Meerut city police station. Investigators discovered that Aadhaar numbers of real beneficiaries were being systematically replaced with those of imposters, allowing them to collect rations fraudulently. Once the ration was acquired, the Aadhaar numbers were switched back, and a false report was submitted to the authorities.
In the Meerut case, departmental action has been recommended against then District Supply Officer Vikas Gautam. Additionally, a charge sheet has been filed against Supply Inspector Asharam, ration dealer Sarfaraz, and computer operator Shahnawaz. Investigators also found that an individual named Dinesh Kumar misused his Aadhaar number 113 times to obtain ration.
The CID noted that many Aadhaar card holders involved in the scam have not yet been identified. Permission will be sought from the court to continue the investigation and collect additional data from the National Informatics Centre (NIC). Officials say further probe may lead to action against several more accused.
Charge sheets in remaining cases are expected to be filed soon as the investigation nears completion.
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