Two clerks attached to the Mumbai Police have been suspended in connection with the scandal where fake Sevaarth IDs were created to add 10 non-existent cops to the payroll system of the north regional division, causing a loss of Rs 6.4 crore.
The suspended employees have been identified as Vijaya Ashok Chavan, an office superintendent with the armed police, Marol, and Amol Arunrao Meshram, a senior clerk with the western regional division. Both were posted at the office of the additional commissioner of police, northern regional division, Mumbai, when the alleged irregularities took place.
The office of the additional commissioner of police, north region, at Samta Nagar in Thakur Village, Kandivli East. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE
The case has also brought under the scanner former administrative officials Ramkrishna Goswami and Nagesh Talwadekar, who have since retired, and former chief clerk Ajay Rathod, who allegedly resigned from the service a few years ago.
According to information received, Rathod was recruited into the department in 2008 and resigned in 2021-22. His relatively early exit from government service, particularly in the backdrop of the alleged payroll fraud, is likely to be examined by investigators as part of the wider probe.
‘Ghost’ employees
According to the suspension order, the fraudulent records were used to approve and process salary payments, allegedly resulting in the diversion of government funds.
Sources claimed that several officials and employees associated with the administrative and salary departments have acted in alleged connivance with other beneficiaries. Investigators are now examining who created the records, who authorised the payments and where the money ultimately went.
A case was registered at Samta Nagar police station on July 22, 2026, under Sections 409, 420, 406, 467, 465, 471, 201, 120-B and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, according to the suspension order.
Before suspension… rewards
Interestingly, the employees now facing action had earlier been recognised for their work.
Sources said Vijaya Chavan and Amol Meshram were felicitated in 2023 by then additional commissioner of police, northern region. They were reportedly presented certificates of appreciation and a cash reward of Rs 5000 for the performance of their respective teams.
What makes the development particularly significant is that the alleged manipulation of the government payroll system is believed to relate to the period between 2019 and 2020. This raises questions over how the alleged irregularities could have continued or remained undetected while the employees concerned were working within the administrative setup.
However, the exact timeline of the alleged fraud, the role of each accused and the extent of the financial loss are yet to be established.
The suspension
The suspension order was issued by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Administration), Brihanmumbai, under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979. The action is subject to the preliminary inquiry and court proceedings.
During the suspension period, the two employees, Vijaya Chavan and Amol Meshram, will be entitled to subsistence allowance and other admissible benefits under service rules. They have also been barred from undertaking private employment or business for now.
Crime Branch takes over
Considering the seriousness of the alleged financial irregularities, the investigation has now been transferred to the Crime Branch Unit 12.
A Crime Branch source said no arrests have been made so far. “Investigators are expected to scrutinise the creation of the alleged fake identities, service records, salary approvals, bank transactions, and the role of officials who may have facilitated or authorised the payments,” the source said.
[popcorn number="July 22" desc="Day case was registered at Samta Nagar police station" class="Default"]
0 Comments