SHAKEEL AKHTER
Ranchi, April 8: In a shocking case from Jharkhand, an accountant accused of fraudulently withdrawing ₹4.29 crore from the Bokaro Treasury was awarded a certificate by the Director General of Police (DGP) for “brightening the image of the police.”
Kaushal Pandey, posted at the Bokaro SP Office, allegedly carried out the fraud over nearly two and a half years—from November 2023 to March 2026—while simultaneously receiving official recognition for his work.
Fraud Uncovered During Audit
The case came to light during a treasury audit by the Principal Accountant General (Accounts), which initially detected fraudulent withdrawals worth ₹3.14 crore across 20 transactions between May 2024 and December 2025.
A subsequent district-level investigation revealed the fraud was larger in scale, with a total of ₹4.29 crore withdrawn through 63 transactions.
Pandey has since been arrested and sent to jail. Officials say the amount involved may rise further as the investigation continues.
Manipulation of Treasury System
According to investigators, Pandey tampered with the ‘Kuber DDO Level Bill Management System’ to divert funds. He inserted his wife’s bank account details, allowing the withdrawn money to be credited to her account before transferring it to his own.
Authorities have also flagged multiple financial irregularities, including double salary payments, excess Dearness Allowance (DA) beyond the 58% limit, and House Rent Allowance (HRA) drawn at 20% instead of the permitted 10%.
Awarded While Committing Fraud
Despite the ongoing fraudulent activity, Pandey received commendation certificates from senior police officials.
Then-DGP Anurag Gupta, in a certificate issued on November 4, 2025, praised his “dedication and diligence” in handling accounts, stating that his work enhanced the reputation of the police force.
A similar certificate was also awarded by the Deputy Inspector General (Budget), who commended his contribution to improving the image of the department.
The case has raised serious questions about internal oversight and financial monitoring within the police department. Investigators believe more irregularities may surface as the probe deepens.
