The Sohana police in Mohali have registered a case of fraud and misuse of government funds against a woman clerk, who is the relative of a Chandigarh councillor, for allegedly drawing her salary by submitting fake attendance records without reporting for duty.
Relative of BJP Councillor Accused
The accused has been identified as Komal Sharma, a resident of Subhash Nagar in Manimajra, Chandigarh. She is the sister-in-law of Suman Sharma, the councillor of Ward No. 4 in Chandigarh, who recently switched from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). A case against Komal Sharma was registered under Section 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
She was produced before a duty magistrate on Sunday, January 11, 2026, and remanded in two-day police custody, according to DSP (City-2) Harsimran Singh Bal.
How the Fake Attendance Scam Unfolded
Komal Sharma was employed as a clerk on an outsourced basis with the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board. Her assigned duty location was the chairman's camp office in Sector 76, Mohali, but her attendance reports were to be submitted at the board's main office in Sector 27, Chandigarh.
Police investigations allege that for a considerable period, she did not report for duty at the Mohali office. Despite her absence, attendance reports were regularly submitted in her name, and she continued to receive her salary.
The scam came to light when the attendance report for December 2025 was not received on time, prompting an inquiry. Upon verification, the chairman's office clarified that the employee had been absent from duty for a long time, yet salaries were being withdrawn against her name.
Vigilance Probe and Police Action
Following directions from the chairman, departmental records were scrutinised. The case was then referred to the Vigilance Bureau, which subsequently forwarded the complaint to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Mohali.
After a preliminary investigation, the Sohana police registered a formal case. DSP Bal stated that a thorough investigation is currently underway, with relevant records being examined. Further legal action will be based on the findings.
Police officials emphasized that such cases of fraud in government and semi-government departments are being taken very seriously, and strict action will be ensured against anyone found guilty of misusing public funds.
