THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, April 11: Drawing parallels with the infamous fodder scam that once exposed massive illegal withdrawals from government treasuries, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has flagged a fresh “organised treasury loot” in Jharkhand, urging Chief Minister Hemant Soren to order a CBI or court-monitored probe.
In a detailed letter to the Chief Minister, Marandi said the pattern of recent illegal withdrawals emerging from multiple districts bears a striking resemblance to past scams, warning that the current scam could be “far bigger and deeper” than initially estimated.
Multi-district scam signals organised network
Marandi pointed out that what began as a suspected irregularity in Bokaro has now spread to Hazaribagh, Sahibganj, Garhwa and Palamu. Initial findings suggest illegal withdrawals exceeding Rs 35 crore, but he cautioned that the amount could rise significantly as more details surface.
He said the scale and spread of the scam indicate that it is not an isolated incident but a well-organised financial crime operating across the state, requiring a comprehensive and impartial probe.
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Doubts over ‘single accused’, role of officials questioned
Questioning the investigation narrative so far, Marandi said it is unrealistic to attribute the scam to a lone accused accountant, Kaushal Pandey. He argued that manipulating systems like e-Kuber, altering official records, and executing large-scale withdrawals would require involvement at multiple levels.
He also highlighted a case in Bokaro where salary payments in the name of one individual were allegedly transferred 63 times into another account, raising serious concerns about oversight within the police department.
Further, he flagged that the accused had received commendations from senior police officers, suggesting possible institutional lapses or protection.
Call for probe into police officers, JAP-IT
Marandi stressed that the role of district-level officials, including SPs and DSPs responsible for treasury withdrawals, must be investigated. He also called for scrutiny of JAP-IT to uncover any technical manipulation in the system.
Past scams point to larger pattern
Citing earlier cases, Marandi said Jharkhand has already witnessed similar irregularities, including alleged illegal withdrawals of around Rs 100 crore in the energy department, Rs 10 crore in tourism, and Rs 23 crore in the drinking water and sanitation department—the last of which required a CBI probe following court intervention.
He said these recurring incidents suggest a larger, systemic racket involving the siphoning of public funds.
Demand for independent investigation
With several officials under suspicion, Marandi argued that a probe by the same department would undermine fairness. He urged the Chief Minister to order an independent investigation either by the CBI or under the supervision of a sitting judge of the Jharkhand High Court.
He maintained that only a transparent and credible probe can establish accountability and ensure strict punishment for those involved.