An unsettling case of deception has emerged from Chhattisgarh, where an audacious scheme reportedly allowed a man to siphon ₹ 1,000 per month in the name of Bollywood star Sunny Leone. The illicit activity exploited the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, a welfare initiative launched by the BJP government to extend financial support to married women.
Under this program, ₹ 1,000 is deposited monthly into the bank accounts of eligible women across the state. However, recent revelations indicate that one such account was fraudulently opened in the name of Sunny Leone. The accused, identified as Virendra Joshi, allegedly orchestrated this duplicity, diverting the funds for personal gain. Authorities have since initiated legal proceedings against him and are investigating lapses in beneficiary verification.
Fraudulent Activity Unearthed in Bastar Region
This peculiar fraud episode unfolded in Talur village, nestled in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. District Collector Haris S has directed the Women and Child Development Department to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the matter. Immediate steps are being taken to freeze the suspect account and recover the embezzled funds. Media reports initially spotlighted this anomaly and fueled calls for stringent accountability.
Political Barbs Intensify Amidst Revelations
The scandal has intensified the ongoing political rivalry between the BJP and Congress. State Congress President Deepak Baij has claimed that over half of the listed beneficiaries under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana are fabricated. Responding with equal fervor, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao accused the Congress of being disheartened by the scheme’s success, which provides financial assistance to women—a feat he claims the Congress failed to achieve during its tenure.
This episode underscores the urgent need for rigorous oversight and the potential vulnerabilities in welfare program implementations. As investigations continue, it remains to be seen how this debacle will influence public trust in government initiatives.
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