Shalarth ID scam: Another top edu official in SIT net
Nagpur: In a significant breakthrough on Wednesday, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested former deputy director of education Anil Pardhi in the
Shalarth ID scam
that rocked the education department, said assistant commissioner of police Sunita Meshram.
Pardhi will be produced before the court on Thursday.
On Tuesday, the SIT had arrested Laxman Magam, an education department clerk, after a month-long manhunt, marking a critical step in unravelling the fraud involving the creation of approximately 1,500 fake Shalarth IDs used for irregular teacher recruitments and promotions in govt aided schools. Magam was nabbed from a friend's residence at Dabha.
Magam was produced before a court on Wednesday and remanded in police custody until May 26.
The SIT, led by ACP Meshram under zonal DCP Rahul Madane, had requested 10-day custody but was granted six days to probe further. Searches were conducted at Magam's residence at Dabha following his arrest. His interrogation led to Pardhi's arrest on Wednesday.
Commissioner of police Ravinder Singal formed the nine-member SIT on May 15. It has been tasked with investigating two cases related to the Shalarth ID scam.
Currently, 623 fraudulent Shalarth IDs are under scrutiny, with statements recorded from around 30 school management representatives and headmasters.
According to SIT sources, Magam charged Rs20,000 per fake ID, acting on instructions from former deputy director of education Ulhas Narad, who is currently out on bail. Investigations reveal that top officials, including Narad, allegedly extorted Rs10 lakh from aspiring teachers, passing a fraction of the amount to Magam for generating fake IDs using forged documents.
This systematic fraud allowed unqualified candidates to secure teaching positions, undermining the integrity of the education system.
The SIT is now intensifying its probe, with another key suspect, Nilesh Waghmare, on its radar. Described as a 'big fish' in the scam, Waghmare's potential arrest could further expose the web of corruption. The team also plans to challenge the bail of several top officials, including Narad, arguing that their custody is essential for deeper investigation into the scam's operations.
The scandal has sparked outrage, highlighting systemic flaws in the education department's oversight mechanisms. The fake Shalarth IDs not only enabled fraudulent recruitments but also siphoned off public funds meant for legitimate educators. The SIT's ongoing investigation aims to hold all culprits accountable and restore trust in the system.
As the probe continues, the education department faces mounting pressure to implement stricter regulations and transparency measures.
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