23 officers booked for embezzling Rs 3.50 cr

INDORE: The economic offences wing (EOW) on Thursday booked 23 officers of Jhabua and Alirajpur districts for misusing their office to embezzle government funds to the tune of Rs 3.50 crore.
The EOW has registered 13 cases against the 23 officials after it was found that the funds were deviated to personal accounts by various means of fraud and misappropriation in developmental blocks of Jhabua and Alirajpur, official sources said.
The accused committed fraud by overwriting bank checks and withdrawing money more than what was sanctioned, they took bribes in printing advertisements, embezzled funds in renting vehicles and swindled money in purchasing sports kit, school dress and stationery for students, they said.
“The government money embezzled by the accused was to the tune of Rs 3.50 crore,” the release said.
Chartered accountants carrying out the audits had suspected conspiracy and embezzlement by the officials. The audit report had also named the officers involved in the scam.
The officials included serving, transferred and retired officials from Jhabua, Alirajpur, Rama, Sondwa, Meghnagar, Petlawad, Khatthiwada, Ranapur, Udaygarh, Jhobat, Thandla and Bhabhra.