Madras high court on Wednesday directed the deputy superintendent of police, Sivaganga district crime branch unit, to file a report on the status of investigation into the misappropriation of funds meant for students in adi dravidar welfare hostels in Sivaganga district.
However, From 2017 to 2023, the sanctioned amount was swindled by officers and staff and no amount was credited into the accounts of individual students. Investigation revealed that Seethapriya committed the offence during the six years in connivance with eight tahsildars.
A Sakthivel, who filed a public interest litigation on the scam, said Rs2.35crore sanctioned towards welfare of students in adi dravidar welfare department hostels in Sivaganga was swindled by govt officials. Govt sanctions Rs100 a month and Rs150 a month for students of Class VI to XII and college students. This is for essential requirements such as hair oil, soaps, washing powder and for hairdressing. He stated that based on the complaint of social activist Boominathan, Sivaganga Town police had registered a case, which was later transferred to the district crime branch unit. Police arrested revenue inspector Seethapriya and her husband Ramkumar .
Madurai: Madras high court on Wednesday directed the deputy superintendent of police, Sivaganga district crime branch unit, to file a report on the status of investigation into the misappropriation of funds meant for students in adi dravidar welfare hostels in Sivaganga district.
The hearing in the case was adjourned to Oct 6.
He said since those involved are revenue officials, most of them holding the post of tahsildar, district crime branch officials are reluctant to proceed with the investigation. However, sanction was granted to prosecute only three tahsildars. The final report in the case is yet to be filed. Departmental action was also not initiated against the erring officials. Hence, the petitioner moved court seeking CB-CID probe in the case.