A fraudulent account in the name of Bollywood actor Sunny Leone was discovered receiving funds under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana.
December 23, 2024: In a bizarre case of financial fraud, a man in Chhattisgarh allegedly opened a fake bank account under the name of Bollywood actor Sunny Leone and siphoned off ₹1,000 monthly under the state government’s Mahtari Vandan Yojana. This welfare scheme, introduced by the BJP government, aims to provide monthly financial assistance to married women across the state.
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The Fraudulent Account:
The fraud came to light when officials discovered that one of the beneficiaries of the scheme was listed under the name of ‘Sunny Leone.’ The accused, identified as Virendra Joshi, allegedly created and managed this fake account, receiving monthly payments without detection for months.
Government Action:
The fraud was reported in Talur village in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region. The district collector, Haris S, has ordered an investigation by the Women and Child Development Department and directed the immediate seizure of the fraudulent bank account for recovery of funds. Officials responsible for the verification process of scheme beneficiaries are also under scrutiny.
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Political Fallout:
The incident has triggered a political slugfest between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress.
- Congress State Chief Deepak Baij claimed that more than 50% of the scheme’s beneficiaries are fake.
- Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao countered, accusing the Congress of being envious of the BJP’s ability to successfully roll out a scheme benefiting women.
Investigation Underway:
Authorities are now working to identify other potential fake beneficiaries in the scheme and ensure tighter verification processes to prevent similar fraudulent activities in the future.
The incident has not only highlighted loopholes in the verification process but has also raised questions about the oversight mechanisms in implementing welfare programs at the grassroots level.
Tags:
Chhattisgarh Fraud, Sunny Leone Fake Account, Mahtari Vandan Yojana Scam, Welfare Scheme Fraud, BJP vs Congress, Chhattisgarh News, Financial Fraud India, Government Aid Scam, Bastar District Fraud, Women Welfare Scheme Chhattisgarh