Tab row: CID files 93 cases, arrest 11 people so far

In a major setback to West Bengal's "Taruner Swapno" scheme also known as the Tab Scam, intended to benefit students of classes 11 and 12, the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has uncovered a large-scale cyber fraud. The scheme, launched by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in 2021, aims to provide financial aid of Rs 10,000 per student to buy tablets for educational use. This year, however, a portion of these funds was allegedly misappropriated by cyber criminals.

According to sources from the state police and the Department of Education, CID has filed 93 cases related to the scheme’s fund diversion and arrested 11 suspects so far. During questioning, investigators reportedly found links suggesting further involvement and possible connections to a larger network of fraudsters.

Under the "Taruner Swapno" initiative, Rs 10,000 is supposed to be deposited directly into the bank accounts of eligible students after schools submit their details. While around 16 lakh students were due to receive the benefit this year, CID officials noted that nearly 99.99% of the funds reached the intended beneficiaries. However, a small percentage — approximately 0.01% — was diverted to unauthorized accounts, leaving some students without their promised funds.

The issue came to light after several students reported that they had not received the funds in their bank accounts. An initial investigation revealed that cyber criminals had intercepted and rerouted the money to other accounts. Police, education officials, and Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further breaches.

The CID’s investigation is ongoing, with more arrests likely as they continue to unravel the fraud network. The state government has emphasized its commitment to ensuring the funds reach all intended beneficiaries and is actively collaborating with law enforcement to protect the integrity of the "Taruner Swapno" scheme.