Cyber police have arrested two clerical staff, Sagar Bhagole (35) and Bharat Dhawale (54), linked to a large-scale education scam involving the creation of fake 540 Shalarth IDs. Bhagole worked as a junior clerk, while Dhawale was a head clerk in the education department.
Investigations reveal that Bhagole and Dhawale assisted alleged masterminds Sunil Magam and Sunil Dhole, whose IP addresses were traced to the creation of fake Shalarth IDs. These fraudulent IDs were misused to pose as teachers, headmasters, and assistant teachers, allowing scamsters to siphon off substantial salaries and benefits, causing significant loss to the state exchequer.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for Magam and Dhole, anticipating their arrests will expose further details and implicate additional individuals. Cyber police are also summoning more education department officials for questioning.
Sources claim several senior education officials were aware of the scam but chose to remain silent. Multiple personnel from the Zilla Parishad’s pay and salaries unit are expected to be arrested for alleged involvement.
The Sadar police have registered another case and attempted to apprehend a joint director-level official and an accomplice. However, several suspects have sought anticipatory bail and are currently evading arrest, while others have ignored police summons.
