Hazaribag Treasury Scam Investigation Intensifies with Special Task Force
In a significant development in the Hazaribag treasury scam case, Deputy Commissioner Shashi Prakash Singh has established a six-member special task force to conduct a thorough investigation. The move comes as authorities aim to uncover the full extent of alleged financial irregularities involving police personnel.
Task Force Deployed to Bihar for Asset Verification
On Saturday, Singh announced that a team of officials had been dispatched to Gaya in Bihar on Friday to examine the assets of two accused police constables who hail from the region. The investigation team is tasked with multiple critical responsibilities including scrutinizing all assets, coordinating with the district registrar regarding land purchases, and assessing motor vehicles and jewelry owned by the accused.
The properties identified as purchased by the accused will be presented to the court for attachment proceedings, marking a crucial step in recovering allegedly misappropriated funds. Additionally, all financial transactions linked to the PAN numbers of the accused will undergo detailed investigation to trace the flow of illicit money.
FIR Registered Against Five Individuals Including Three Police Personnel
An FIR has been officially registered against five persons in connection with alleged payroll irregularities discovered in the accounts branch. The accused include constable Shambhu Kumar from Gaya, constable Rajneesh Kumar Singh alias Pankaj from Hunterganj in Chatra, and constable Dhirendra Singh from Konch Shankar Bigha in Gaya district. Two women and an unknown person are also named in the case, according to the Deputy Commissioner.
Singh has issued directives to withdrawal and disbursement officers across the district to investigate government fund withdrawals before salary disbursements, aiming to prevent further irregularities. The DC emphasized the importance of this procedural review to ensure transparency in financial operations.
Cross-State Cooperation in Investigation
Deputy Commissioner Singh has sought active cooperation from Gaya District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar and his team to investigate constable Shambhu Kumar's alleged illegal assets. The Gaya DM has assured Jharkhand officials of full cooperation in the matter. Furthermore, the Gaya sub-registrar has been instructed to provide necessary assistance to the Jharkhand investigation team, facilitating access to property records and documentation.
Background of Accused Police Personnel
Constable Shambhu Kumar received compassionate employment in 2009 following the alleged murder of his father, constable Nandkishore Chaudhary, by criminals in 2003. After turning 18 in 2011, he was posted to the accounts section of Hazaribag police lines, where he remained for an astonishing 14 years. This extended tenure violates standard administrative rules that prohibit employees from being posted at the same location for more than three years.
Similarly, constable Rajneesh Kumar Singh had been working in the accounts section since 2016, while constable Dhirendra Singh had been stationed there since 2019. The prolonged postings of these personnel in sensitive financial positions raise serious questions about oversight and compliance with transfer policies.
Alleged Misuse of Treasury Funds for Property Investments
Investigations reveal that constable Shambhu Kumar allegedly invested crores of rupees obtained from the Hazaribag treasury into two luxurious residences located in Gaya's AP Colony. Constable Rajneesh Kumar Singh was found to have constructed a two-storey house in Masipiri locality of Hazaribag, while constable Dhirendra Singh built a substantial apartment in Bodh Gaya.
These property acquisitions, funded through allegedly looted treasury money, demonstrate the scale of financial misconduct being investigated by authorities.
Political Pressure for Independent Investigation
Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has written to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, urging him to transfer the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or initiate a judicial inquiry under the supervision of a current Jharkhand High Court judge. This political intervention highlights the seriousness of the case and the demand for an impartial, transparent investigation process.
The formation of the special task force represents a determined effort by Hazaribag authorities to address the treasury scam comprehensively, with asset verification and inter-state coordination playing pivotal roles in the ongoing probe.
