Pension scam: more arrests in the offing

KOHIMA, JULY 26 : Two weeks after police detained four persons on alleged case of fraudulent drawal of pension involving a sum of over 100 crore, official sources today disclosed that more arrests are likely to be made in the next few days.

Police had earlier this month arrested two officers from Treasuries & Accounts department- the Senior Treasury Officer and Sub-Treasury Officer from Zunheboto District Treasury Office, a pensioner and a bank employee.

While the latter two are reported to be out on bail, it has been learnt that the bail application of the two treasury officers were denied by the court.

The scam was busted after the office of the Accountant General (AG) detected a high amount drawal of pension and on suspicion of manufacturing of false pension orders, a case was registered in the state crime station at the PHQ Kohima.

Subsequently, a three-member SIT was formed and investigation into the case is on.

If sources are to be believed, the amount implicated could total up to Rs.100-200 crore and 6-7 more treasury officers could be indicted.

Close on the heels of the pension scam being reported in the local dailies including Eastern Mirror, Governor PB Acharya has asked the state government to immediately complete the formalities for enactment of the Lokayukta Bill in the state.

The Governor said, Lokayuktas were established in various states of the country with jurisdiction to deal with complaints not only against elective public servants, but also against other categories of public servants defined in the Act.