Bungling of funds: Haryana State Vigilance Bureau raids BDPO’s office in Murthal

CHANDIGARH: Two months after suicide by a gram sachiv Surjit Kumar, a team of Haryana State Vigilance Bureau (SVB) on Monday raided the office of the block development and panchayat officer (BDPO) of Murthal in Sonipat district.
The sleuths took away records related to funds, which were allegedly bungled with the connivance of panchayati raj contractors and officials in the name of development works in a few villages across the state.
Preliminary investigations had hinted at bungling worth Rs 5 crore.
Surjeet Kumar, a gram sachiv of Murthal block had committed suicide by hanging in the office of his friend in the first week of April. In a suicide note, Surjeet had blamed the then BDPO Manish Malik for driving him to suicide.
Surjeet had alleged that Munish had forced him to sign certain documents related to development works and purchases which had been done in violation of rules and a lot of money had been withdrawn from banks in connivance with bank officials.
Acting on the complaint of Surjeet’s brother, a case of abetment to commit suicide had been registered. At the same time, the case regarding funds was referred to the vigilance wing of panchyati raj department as well as the Vigilance Bureau.
Sources said panchayats which have now come under the scanner included Dhatoori, Sanpeda, Hasanpur, Kaami, Pipli Khera, Tikola and Malikpur.
Except for Malikpur, gram sachivs of rest of the panchayats have already been placed under suspension and the panchayat representatives too are facing probe. They have also deposited Rs 2 crore in panchayat funds after they were indicted for embezzlement during the preliminary probe.