Major Pension Fraud Uncovered in Meerut: Son Accused of Withdrawing Rs 44 Lakh Using Deceased Mother's Account
A significant pension fraud case, involving more than Rs 44 lakh, has come to light in the Daurala area of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. In a disturbing scheme, a woman who passed away in 2018 was allegedly maintained as "alive" in official records by her son, enabling the illegal withdrawal of pension funds over several years.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
According to a complaint filed with the Sardhana sub-divisional magistrate, State Bank of India's Sakauti Tanda branch manager Neeraj Kumar reported in an October 8, 2025 letter that a pension account was held in the name of Shanti Devi, wife of freedom fighter Surjan Singh. Shanti Devi was a beneficiary under both the freedom fighter and defence pension schemes. Local residents confirmed that Shanti Devi died on December 9, 2018.
Police investigations reveal that her son, Prem Singh, along with unidentified accomplices, allegedly created forged documents and submitted fake life certificates to the bank. These documents falsely indicated that Shanti Devi was still living, allowing the accused to continue operating the account. Funds were withdrawn through ATM transactions and UPI payments over an extended period.
Financial Impact and Legal Proceedings
Bank officials disclosed that a total of Rs 44,38,096 was illicitly withdrawn from the account over seven years. Following the discovery of the fraud, the bank filed a formal complaint at Daurala police station on November 27, 2025. However, due to a lack of immediate action, the complainant sought intervention from the court.
Acting on court directives, police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Wednesday against Prem Singh and his unidentified associates. The charges include sections related to cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code.
Daurala police inspector Suman Kumar Singh stated, "We are verifying the documents to determine further legal action." He confirmed that a thorough investigation is currently underway to uncover all aspects of the case and identify any additional individuals involved in the conspiracy.
Broader Implications and Response
This case highlights vulnerabilities in pension disbursement systems and raises concerns about the verification processes for life certificates. The fraud persisted for years despite regular banking procedures, suggesting potential gaps in oversight.
Authorities are now examining whether similar fraudulent activities might be occurring elsewhere, particularly in pension schemes for freedom fighters and defence personnel. The incident has prompted calls for stricter verification mechanisms and digital safeguards to prevent such exploitation in the future.
The legal proceedings are expected to proceed as police gather evidence and build a case against the accused. The outcome may set a precedent for handling pension fraud cases and reinforce the importance of accountability in public fund management.
