Bengal man, 63, arrested in Rajasthan for minority scholarship fraud via PSP portal
Synopsis
A 63-year-old West Bengal resident has been arrested in a cross-state operation by Rajasthan Police for allegedly siphoning minority scholarship funds through Ajmer's PSP portal using fraudulent online applications. More suspects are being tracked across West Bengal and Bihar, signalling that the racket may be wider than a single accused.
Key Takeaways
Mohammad Alauddin , 63 , of North Dinajpur, West Bengal , was arrested on 7 October 2026 by Rajasthan Police.
The accused allegedly obtained minority scholarship funds fraudulently via the PSP portal used by Ajmer's Education Department .
A complaint was filed by District Education Officer Darshana Sharma at Clock Tower Police Station, Ajmer .
A joint police team was dispatched to West Bengal and Bihar to trace the suspects.
Police said efforts to identify and arrest other suspects in the case are ongoing.
Rajasthan Police have arrested Mohammad Alauddin, a 63-year-old resident of North Dinajpur district, West Bengal, in connection with an alleged minority scholarship fraud targeting the Ajmer Education Department. The arrest, made on 7 October 2026, follows a multi-state operation that took investigators to both West Bengal and Bihar.
How the Fraud Was Carried Out
According to the complaint filed by District Education Officer Darshana Sharma at Clock Tower Police Station, Ajmer, scholarship applications were submitted online through private institutions using the PSP portal — the government's designated platform for processing minority scholarship funds. The applications were allegedly fabricated, with funds subsequently routed fraudulently.
During the investigation, police obtained detailed records from the Education Department covering suspected account holders and their linked scholarship applications, which helped narrow down individuals allegedly involved.
Multi-State Operation Leading to the Arrest
Acting on the directives of Ajmer Superintendent of Police Harshvardhan Agarwala, a special team was constituted under the supervision of Additional SP (City and Headquarters) Himanshu Jangid and Deputy SP (South Circle) Manish Badgujar, and led by Clock Tower SHO Bhikharam Kala. A joint team comprising personnel from the South Circle Deputy SP's office and Clock Tower Police Station was subsequently dispatched to trace suspects across state lines.
Mohammad Alauddin, son of Shaharuddin and a resident of Nayabari under Chopra Police Station in North Dinajpur, was traced and arrested in West Bengal. Police said efforts are continuing to identify and arrest other suspects allegedly involved in the case.
Key Personnel in the Operation
The operation involved SHO Bhikharam Kala, Assistant Sub-Inspectors Bhagchand, Suvalal, and Geeta, and Constables Brijesh Pal and Deshraj. Their coordinated effort underscores the cross-jurisdictional complexity of online scholarship fraud, which can involve applicants and intermediaries spread across multiple states.
Broader Context and What Comes Next
Online scholarship fraud targeting minority welfare schemes has emerged as a recurring challenge for state education departments, with fraudsters exploiting digital portals designed to widen access for eligible students. This case is notable given the geographic distance between the alleged fraud — executed through Ajmer's Education Department — and the accused, located over 1,500 km away in West Bengal.
The investigation is ongoing, with police indicating that more arrests are likely as they pursue other individuals allegedly identified during the probe.
Point of View
And until they do, this kind of cross-state fraud will remain difficult to detect until after funds have already moved.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Rajasthan minority scholarship fraud case?
Mohammad Alauddin, a 63-year-old resident of Nayabari in North Dinajpur district, West Bengal, was arrested by Rajasthan Police on 7 October 2026. He is accused of fraudulently obtaining minority scholarship funds disbursed by the Ajmer Education Department.
How was the minority scholarship fraud carried out?
According to the police complaint, applications for minority scholarships were submitted online through private institutions using the PSP portal. Scholarship funds were then allegedly obtained through these fabricated applications without genuine eligible claimants receiving the money.
Which police officers led the operation?
The operation was constituted on the directives of Ajmer SP Harshvardhan Agarwala and supervised by Additional SP Himanshu Jangid and Deputy SP Manish Badgujar. The field team was led by Clock Tower SHO Bhikharam Kala, supported by ASIs Bhagchand, Suvalal, and Geeta, and Constables Brijesh Pal and Deshraj.
Are more arrests expected in the case?
Yes. Rajasthan Police said efforts are underway to identify and arrest other suspects allegedly involved in the scholarship fraud, with the joint team having already conducted searches across West Bengal and Bihar. The investigation is continuing.
Why is online scholarship fraud through portals like PSP a concern?
Digital scholarship portals are intended to streamline access to welfare funds for eligible minority students, but they can be exploited through fake applications filed via intermediary institutions. Cases like this highlight the need for stronger verification mechanisms to prevent fraudulent diversion of funds meant for genuine beneficiaries.
