HC orders speedy probe into ‘wrongful disability pension disbursal'

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court has directed the state to complete 'as expeditiously as possible' its probe into alleged fraudulent disbursement of disability pension funds in Murshidabad's Samserganj. A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Atarup Banerjee passed the direction while disposing of a PIL filed by Suraj Sk. The court noted that a police case had already been registered following a complaint and that the investigation was underway. The state informed the court that Samserganj police had registered a case on July 5 under various provisions of the BNS. Notices had been issued to several accused, while statements of witnesses were being recorded. A report submitted by the Inspector-in-Charge of Samserganj police station revealed a significant finding: 13 of the 15 certificates examined by the investigating authority were found to be fake, according to the order. The PIL alleged that funds meant for eligible persons with disabilities under the West Bengal Disability Pension Scheme, 2010, had been obtained by ineligible beneficiaries. It also alleged the involvement of a Samserganj Panchayat Samity member and 15 persons associated with him. The Bench observed that the allegations 'cannot be ruled out' and directed the investigating authority to conclude the probe swiftly 'to book the wrongdoers'.