Ghost employees scam exposed in Indore:₹49 lakh withdrawn from MPSRTC over 18 years; audit reveals fraud

The depth of corruption in the Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (MPSRTC) has come to light in a fresh case from Indore. Between 1998 and 2016, officials allegedly siphoned off ₹49.02 lakh by withdrawing salaries in the names of 12 non-existent employees. Acting on a complaint by current divisional manager Ashok Singh Tomar, MG Road police have initiated a probe against then in-charge manager Rajesh Kumar Meena, conductor Mohammad Shakeel, and others. 12 employees existed only on paper Police investigation revealed that the fraud began in 1998 and continued uninterrupted till 2016. While records showed a list of 512 employees, 12 of them existed only on paper. Bank accounts were opened in these fictitious names, and government funds were transferred to them for nearly two decades. Scam unearthed during audit The fraud surfaced during an audit of old records. Investigators were shocked to find that those receiving salaries were never part of the official payroll. Former divisional in-charge manager Rajesh Kumar Meena (Supervisor Grade-I) and ex-conductor Mohammad Shakeel have emerged as key accused. Probe widens, more officials may come under scanner The complaint covers a long period from 1998 to 2016. Police have sought old records from banks and the department to gather evidence. “Strict action will be taken based on evidence,” said Vijay Singh Sisodiya, Station House Officer, MG Road police station. Given the long duration of the scam, more officials posted in the Indore zone during that period may also come under investigation. Police are now collecting details from banks where the suspicious accounts were opened in 1998. Old records in other districts of the division are also being examined for similar irregularities.