Jharkhand's Ranchi Treasury Faces Rs 3 Crore Fraud; FIR Filed
Synopsis
A shocking fraud involving Rs 3 crore has been unveiled in Ranchi, Jharkhand, as two employees are accused of manipulating salary accounts. This incident adds to a worrying trend of treasury frauds in the state, prompting calls for stricter oversight and audits.
Key Takeaways
Rs 3 crore fraud detected in Ranchi treasury.
Two employees implicated in the scheme.
Past frauds include Rs 4.29 crore in Bokaro and Rs 27 crore in Hazaribagh.
Comprehensive audits of all treasuries ordered.
Calls for stricter financial oversight from the Finance Minister.
Ranchi, April 14 (NationPress) A new instance of fraudulent withdrawals from a government treasury has emerged in Jharkhand, centered in Ranchi, following similar incidents in Hazaribagh and Bokaro.
Approximately Rs 3 crore is believed to have been illicitly taken from the treasury of the state capital, with two personnel from the Institute of Animal Health and Production in Kanke implicated in the manipulation of salary accounts to misappropriate funds.
Under the directive of the Ranchi Deputy Commissioner, Executive Magistrate Md. Zafar Hasnat initiated a First Information Report (FIR) at the Kotwali police station on Tuesday. The police acted quickly, apprehending both implicated employees.
The investigation revealed that the institute's accountant, Munindra Kumar, along with staff member Sanjeev Kumar, executed the fraudulent scheme in collusion. Allegedly, Munindra Kumar funneled Rs 1.52 crore into two of his bank accounts, while Sanjeev Kumar transferred Rs 1.41 crore into his own account through unlawful transactions.
Initial findings suggest that from the financial years 2023–24 to 2025–26, the pair tampered with salary bills on the 'Kuber portal', inflating amounts to withdraw sums vastly exceeding allowable limits from the district treasury.
A comprehensive 67-page investigation report, submitted on April 13, contains documentary evidence indicating a premeditated scheme, with the accused allegedly circumventing governmental protocols to misappropriate crores.
The Executive Magistrate's complaint calls for stringent legal actions under charges of fraud and the misuse of public funds.
This case adds to the escalating list of treasury-related frauds in Jharkhand. Earlier, Rs 4.29 crore was fraudulently withdrawn from the Bokaro treasury by misrepresenting a retired policeman as still in service, while a Rs 27 crore embezzlement case was reported in Hazaribagh. So far, six arrests have been made in connection with these cases.
With rising concerns, the state government has mandated a thorough audit of all 33 treasuries and sub-treasuries. Officials suspect that the total extent of unauthorized withdrawals across the state could surpass Rs 50 crore.
Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore has described these incidents as a significant failure in administrative oversight, directing Deputy Commissioners to implement stricter financial controls and ensure exhaustive audits.
Point of View
It's essential to recognize the alarming trend of financial misconduct within government treasuries, as seen in Jharkhand. This recurring issue underscores the need for stringent oversight and accountability mechanisms to safeguard public funds.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Ranchi?
A fraud of Rs 3 crore was discovered involving two employees who manipulated salary accounts to embezzle funds from the government treasury.
Who is involved in the fraud?
The accused are Munindra Kumar, the accountant, and Sanjeev Kumar, a staff member of the Institute of Animal Health and Production.
What actions have been taken?
An FIR was filed, and both accused have been detained for further investigation.
How does this relate to other scams in Jharkhand?
This incident adds to a series of treasury-related frauds in Jharkhand, including previous cases in Bokaro and Hazaribagh.
What are the government's next steps?
The state government has ordered an audit of all treasuries and sub-treasuries to identify and rectify any irregular withdrawals.
