The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested Mishrilal Paswan, the former director of the UP Social Welfare Department, in connection with a massive scholarship fraud involving Rs 7.95 crore. The scam pertains to the Post-Matric Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Scheme meant for Scheduled Caste students during 2010-2012.
According to the EOW, Paswan conspired with departmental officials and trustees of Guru Nanak Education Trust, Roorkee, to manipulate official records and sanction inflated scholarship amounts for 336 students enrolled in the PGDM course. Instead of disbursing the funds to the students, the accused facilitated irregular transfers, causing a substantial loss to the state exchequer.
The investigation, which began with an FIR registered on October 23, 2019, in Lucknow, uncovered evidence of Paswan’s direct involvement. He has been charged under Indian Penal Code sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant), 420 (cheating), 120B (criminal conspiracy), and 201 (destruction of evidence).
Four other accused in the case are also facing legal proceedings, with further arrests anticipated.
