A shocking case of fraud has surfaced from Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, where a government scheme for women was exploited using Bollywood actress Sunny Leone’s name. The fraudulent activity, linked to the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, has sparked widespread attention and led to a detailed investigation.
What Is the Mahtari Vandan Yojana?
The Mahtari Vandan Yojana is a welfare scheme designed to support pregnant women and new mothers by providing financial assistance. Eligible beneficiaries receive monthly installments to ease the financial burden during motherhood. The scheme aims to promote maternal health and reduce infant mortality rates.
How Was the Fraud Committed?
According to reports, a man named Virendra Joshi from Talur village, Bastar, registered as a beneficiary under the scheme. Here’s how the fraud unfolded:
- Fake Registration: The accused listed Sunny Leone as the beneficiary’s name and Johnny Sins, a well-known international figure, as her husband.
- Verification Gaps: Documents submitted by the accused were approved at the Anganwadi level, and payments were processed without thorough scrutiny.
- Payments Received: For ten months, from March to December, ₹1,000 per month was credited to the fraudulent account.
How Was the Fraud Detected?
The scam came to light through an RTI query. Upon examining the scheme’s database, officials discovered the fictitious entries. A closer inspection of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana’s website revealed Sunny Leone and Johnny Sins listed as recipients.
Action Taken by Authorities
Following the discovery, Bastar Collector S. Harish formed a joint team comprising officials from the Women and Child Development Department and the local Tehsildar’s office. The team:
- Visited Talur village for an on-ground investigation.
- Interrogated Anganwadi worker Vedmati Kashyap, who had verified the fraudulent documents.
- Seized the bank account used for fraudulent transactions.
A case has been registered against Virendra Joshi under charges of fraud. Authorities are also considering legal action against the Anganwadi worker if found complicit.
Previous Incidents of Similar Fraud
This is not the first time such a fraud has been reported. A similar case in Bihar highlighted the misuse of welfare schemes, raising questions about verification protocols and the accountability of officials involved.
Impact of the Fraud
The misuse of funds intended for vulnerable beneficiaries undermines the credibility of welfare programs. It highlights:
- Weak Verification Processes: Fraudulent entries expose gaps in document verification at local levels.
- Loss of Funds: Genuine beneficiaries are deprived of financial support due to misuse.
- Need for Digitization: A robust digital monitoring system is crucial to prevent such incidents in the future.
What’s Next?
Authorities are now:
- Strengthening verification protocols to prevent further misuse.
- Recovering the funds siphoned off through fraudulent claims.
- Conducting audits of similar welfare schemes to identify potential irregularities.
Steps to Ensure Transparency
To avoid such incidents, the government must:
- Implement biometric verification for all beneficiaries.
- Regularly update and audit databases.
- Train officials to identify and flag discrepancies during document checks.
The Sunny Leone fraud case serves as a wake-up call for stricter oversight and accountability in implementing welfare schemes. Genuine beneficiaries rely on these programs, and ensuring their rightful access is a priority for the authorities.
