In a major development in the ongoing education scam investigation, Raju Meshram, 59, former director of a school management body, was arrested early Sunday by Sadar police. Meshram, who had recently returned to Nagpur in a bid to secure anticipatory bail, was apprehended from an undisclosed location in the city.
Meshram had ties with multiple schools in Arjuni Morgaon, Gondia, and is now the seventh person arrested in the Sadar police’s case. The arrest was carried out under the supervision of senior inspector Manish Thakare and Zonal DCP Rahul Madane. According to sources, Meshram had previously faced internal inquiries and was removed from his position. He was also terminated from his role as a clerk at an aided school.
Meanwhile, the cyber police team led by DCP Lohit Matani uncovered digital evidence, including fake Shalarth ID documents, from the computer of Suraj Naik, a clerk at the deputy director of education’s office. These fraudulent IDs were used to generate salaries for numerous non-existent teachers and staff.
Naik and Ulhas Narad, the deputy director of education, remain in custody and were remanded to judicial custody on Sunday. Authorities believe many more individuals could be arrested soon as the investigation continues to uncover a network of falsified salary disbursements, dues, and arrears.
Investigators also discovered that Meshram had introduced headmaster Parag Pudke of Bhandara to teacher Mahendra Mhaiskar of Arjuni Morgaon. Pudke allegedly paid Rs2.5 lakh for a fake experience certificate, from which Meshram received Rs25,000 as commission.
A raid at Mhaiskar’s home revealed 25 fake teacher proposals and documentation for around 50 others. With new names surfacing daily, further raids and arrests are expected across Nagpur, Gondia, and Bhandara.
