Poonam Nath

MNREGA job fraud case: Cricketer Mohammed Shami's sister, relatives name on list

Digital Desk: Indian cricket star Mohammed Shami's sister, husband, and other relatives have been charged with fraud under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), as stated by officials.

The disclosure came after a district-level investigation uncovered the alleged fraud, which implicated multiple people, including Shami's relatives.

According to the PTI news agency, the accused fraudulently earned wages under the rural employment initiative without conducting any labor.

District Magistrate (DM) Nidhi Gupta Vats said on Wednesday that 18 people were involved in the scheme, including Shami's sister Shabina, her husband Ghaznavi, and her brothers-in-law Aamir Suhail, Nasruddin, and Shekhu.

The arrangement allegedly benefited the sons and daughters of Gram Pradhan Gule Ayesha, who is at the centre of the dispute. Gule Ayesha is the mother-in-law of Mohammed Shami's sister.

The fake entries were registered on MNREGA job cards in January 2021, letting beneficiaries earn salaries in their bank accounts until August 2024-25 without really working, according to Vats.

Following the discovery of irregularities, the district administration has ordered the suspension of all involved employees, the filing of a formal police complaint, and departmental action under the Panchayati Raj Act.

Additionally, the diverted cash must be recovered, and Gram Pradhan's financial accounts have been frozen.

The investigation was begun following media reports that highlighted the alleged fraud. Preliminary results revealed that the then-Village Development Officer (VDO), Assistant Programme Officer (APO), computer operator, Gram Pradhan, and persons associated with her were involved in the scam.

Additional investigations are currently underway.