A man has been apprehended in connection with a paddy procurement scam amounting to Rs 6.55 crore in Chhattisgarh. The irregularity was uncovered at the Konpara paddy procurement sub-centre in Tumla, Jashpur district. Following a report by the Nodal Officer of Chhattisgarh State Cooperative Bank Limited, an FIR has been filed, and an investigation is underway.
Shishupal Yadav, a 39-year-old from Jharmunda village, has been arrested and placed in judicial custody. While he is in custody, five other suspects are still at large, with authorities conducting search operations to make further arrests. The case involves six individuals linked to the Tribal Service Cooperative Society Limited, specifically during the Kharif marketing season 2024-25.
Records show that 1,61,250 quintals of paddy were procured at the sub-centre, but only 1,40,663.12 quintals were accounted for, indicating a shortfall of 20,586.88 quintals. This missing paddy, valued at Rs 3,100 per quintal, amounts to a loss of about Rs 6.38 crore. Additionally, 4,898 gunny bags, valued at Rs 17.07 lakh, were also found missing, bringing the total financial loss to Rs 6,55,26,979.
A joint investigation team verified the absence of the reported paddy stock at the site, confirming suspicions of foul play. Authorities suspect collusion among the accused officials to manipulate records and divert the grain. The FIR, filed by Nodal Officer Ram Kumar Yadav under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, was lodged at Tumla police station on January 2.
Jashpur Senior Superintendent of Police Shashi Mohan Singh emphasized the swift action taken based on the Apex Bank’s report of irregularities in paddy procurement. The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on apprehending the remaining suspects. Efforts are underway to uncover the full extent of the fraud and seek ways to recover the losses, ensuring accountability and preventing similar incidents in future procurement processes.
