Faridabad’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Pooja Sharma, former Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) of Ballabhgarh, along with contractor Hiralal, in a Rs28-crore embezzlement case linked to Mujedi village.
The case dates back to April 2021, when then Faridabad Deputy Commissioner Yashpal Yadav lodged an FIR at Sadar Police Station, Ballabhgarh, following financial irregularities discovered by a probe committee.
Initial findings revealed that ex-Sarpanch Rani and suspended village secretary Vijaypal withdrew Rs2.32 crore without sanction between January and May 2020, causing a Rs69-lakh loss to the panchayat.
Further investigation implicated BDPO Pooja Sharma, acting Sarpanch Brahmapal, secretary Jogendra, and contractor Hiralal. They allegedly siphoned Rs22 crore through fake bills, of which Rs17.14 crore was paid directly to Hiralal.
In 2023, the case was handed over to the ACB. Their findings uncovered a total misappropriation of Rs28 crore routed through Hiralal and associated firms. The investigation also revealed that Sharma unlawfully reopened a sealed panchayat account and accepted a Rs9-lakh bribe to clear dues of a construction firm.
The ACB also exposed a fake Rs43-lakh tree plantation project, backdated to June 2021, though records falsely claimed the plantation occurred in winter months when such work is not feasible.
Sharma, previously suspended after the FIR, had been reinstated following a court order and was serving as BDPO in Nuh district at the time of her arrest.
