Fraudster registers 'Sunny Leone' as beneficiary in Chhattisgarh Govt scheme, pockets ₹1,000 monthly

Virendra Joshi fraudulently registered Sunny Leone’s name, misusing ₹1,000 monthly under Chhattisgarh’s Mahtari Vandan Yojana scheme
Fraud linked to Anganwadi worker’s ID; disciplinary actions taken; investigation underway by Women and Child Development Department
Scheme mandates Aadhaar-linked personal accounts for married women; 70 lakh accounts under review for potential irregularities

A case of fraud has surfaced in Chhattisgarh’s Mahtari Vandan Yojana, a government welfare scheme aimed at providing ₹1,000 monthly to married women. Officials have discovered that a bank account fraudulently registered under the name of Bollywood actress Sunny Leone was receiving the funds. The accused, identified as Virendra Joshi, allegedly pocketed the funds between March 2024 and December 2024.

The Mahtari Vandan Yojana was introduced by the BJP government to offer financial assistance to married women in the state. Beneficiaries must have Aadhaar-linked personal bank accounts with Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) activated. Joint accounts are not permitted under the scheme. The fraudulent account was linked to the ID of a local Anganwadi worker, Vedmati Joshi.

District Collector Haris S has directed the Women and Child Development Department to seize the fraudulent account and recover the misused funds. An investigation has been launched to identify officials responsible for verifying beneficiaries under the scheme. Disciplinary action is being initiated against Anganwadi workers and supervisors involved in the case.

Preliminary findings revealed irregularities in the beneficiary verification process. Officials are conducting an in-depth review of approximately 70 lakh accounts registered under the scheme to detect other potential fraud cases. Stricter protocols are being considered to prevent such lapses in the future.

The incident has also led to political disputes. State Congress President Deepak Baij alleged that over 50 per cent of the scheme’s beneficiaries are fraudulent. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao countered these claims, emphasizing that the scheme was designed to ensure financial support reaches eligible married women.

Authorities have intensified efforts to improve oversight and tighten verification processes. The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on recovering funds, addressing administrative lapses, and ensuring the welfare scheme benefits only genuine recipients.

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Chhattisgarh fraud