Indore Rs 58 Cr fake bill scam: 5 Govt employees, 6 contractors arrested

K K Jha
Indore:  In a significant crackdown, five government employees and six contractors have been arrested in connection with the Indore Fake Bill Scam. The scam, which involved the submission of counterfeit bills totaling approximately Rs 58 crore to the Indore Municipal Corporation for drainage line projects that were never executed, has shaken the civic body.
The investigation revealed that out of the total fraudulent bills, Rs 34 crore had already been disbursed by the Municipal Corporation. Further scrutiny showed that bills amounting to Rs 38 crore were paid out of the submitted Rs 58 crore invoices.
Authorities have frozen Rs 70 lakh found in the suspects’ bank accounts and are currently working to identify and potentially seize additional properties owned by those involved. A dedicated team of 12 investigators has been formed to delve deeper into the financial activities of the accused, including examining other bank accounts and lockers.
Among those arrested are six contractors and five government employees, one of whom is an executive engineer. The arrests represent a major advancement in the investigation, highlighting the alleged collusion between contractors and municipal officials.
The inquiry is ongoing, with efforts being made to apprehend five other contractors who are currently evading arrest. The police spokesperson emphasized that the investigation continues to unravel the full extent of the fraudulent practices.