A special CBI court in Lucknow has handed down 10-year rigorous imprisonment sentences to a former village pradhan and a fair-price shopkeeper for their roles in a major corruption scandal under the Sampurna Grameen Rozgar Yojna (SGRY). The verdict, delivered on Thursday, marks a significant development in a case that has been under investigation for nearly two decades. The court also imposed a combined fine of ₹55,000 on the two convicts.
The individuals convicted—Satya Narayan Prasad Patel, former pradhan of a village in Ballia district, and Shahnawaj Alam, a fair-price shopkeeper (kotedar)—were found guilty of siphoning off cash and foodgrains meant for rural employment and welfare. The CBI stated that the duo caused massive wrongful loss to the government exchequer by diverting scheme resources for personal gain. The court held them accountable for cheating, fraud, and forging official records.
The case dates back to 2006 when the Narhi Police Station in Ballia registered an FIR alleging widespread irregularities in the distribution of SGRY benefits. The scheme, intended to provide employment and food security to rural households, reportedly became a target of systemic fraud at multiple levels. Following the initial complaint, the Central Bureau of Investigation took over the case on October 31, 2008, due to the magnitude of the alleged scam.
Also Read: CBI Registers Case Against Anmol Ambani, Reliance Home Finance Over Alleged ₹228-Crore Fraud
According to the CBI’s findings, the accused caused a wrongful loss of ₹65 lakh in cash and misappropriated foodgrain valued at ₹45.26 lakh. Investigators uncovered evidence of forged entries, falsified documents, and deliberate manipulation of allocation records. In total, 172 individuals—including several government officials responsible for overseeing the scheme at district and village levels—were named during the course of the investigation.
The CBI filed its charge sheet on November 10, 2010, naming three primary accused: Satyendra Singh Gangwar, former Chief Finance and Accounts Officer of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA); Satya Narayan Prasad Patel; and Shahnawaj Alam. After an extensive trial, the special court convicted Patel and Alam, while Gangwar was acquitted of all charges due to insufficient evidence linking him to the fraudulent activities.
The verdict underscores the government’s continuing efforts to crack down on corruption in welfare schemes and ensure accountability in rural development programs. With millions dependent on such initiatives, the case highlights the importance of robust monitoring and strict legal action against misuse of public funds. Further proceedings related to other accused persons are expected as the investigation continues to unfold.
Also Read: Tirumala Laddu Ghee Case: CBI Takes Key Accused for Four-Day Custody