A massive Rs4.6 crore scam involving Scheduled Caste (SC) scholarships has been uncovered in Junagadh, Gujarat. At the heart of the revelation is Kishore Bharkhada, Deputy Director of the SC Welfare Office, whose formal complaint led to the exposure of the fraudulent scheme.
Twelve educational institutions have come under the scanner for siphoning off scholarship funds using fake student documents. These funds, earmarked to support underprivileged SC students, were misappropriated between January 2014 and December 2016 through a well-planned conspiracy.
The scam surfaced following the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Junagadh City Division. During the probe, the SIT seized records of 2,245 students submitted by the institutions and uncovered forged student applications used to claim scholarships.
The investigation revealed that administrators created fake student profiles and submitted them as legitimate beneficiaries. The approved scholarship cheques, meant for actual students, were diverted to the accused instead.
Following an in-depth financial audit and cross-verification with banks, five key individuals were identified. The Gujarat Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) swiftly arrested four suspects:
Ramesh Kalubhai Baku
Ramanik Nathabhai Rathod
Bhavin Laljibhai Dadhaniya
Jagdish Bhikhabhai Parmar
Meanwhile, Umar Farooq Ibrahim Amrelia, Administrator and Principal of the Indian Institute in Mangrol, remains at large, and a manhunt is underway.
The total fraud amounted to Rs4,60,38,550, leaving thousands of SC students robbed of their rightful educational support. The betrayal has triggered outrage within the community and broader calls for reform in Gujarat’s education funding mechanisms.
Police have registered cases against principals, trustees, and other officials involved. As the investigation expands, more arrests are expected.
This scandal has raised pressing concerns about systemic loopholes and the absence of stringent oversight in welfare schemes, sparking a wave of anger across Gujarat.
