5,000 ‘Fake Weddings’ During COVID: ED Arrests Ex-Sironj Janpad CEO In ₹30-Crore Kanya Vivah Yojana Scam

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: The Economic Offences Wing (ED) has arrested former Sironj Janpad CEO Shobhit Tripathi in connection with a Rs 30 crore Kanya Vivah Yojana scam, according to officials. Tripathi is also an accused in the swindling scheme while he was in charge. The Enforcement Directorate registered a case after the Economic Offences Wing filed an FIR against him.

Additionally, computer operators Hemant Sahu and Yogendra Sharma have been charged in the case. The ED arrested Tripathi and presented him before a Bhopal court; he is currently on ED remand until September 9.

From 2019 to 2021, 5,923 Kanya Vivah cases were uncovered, each involving a construction worker who was supposed to receive financial aid of Rs 51,000. Over Rs 30 crore was paid out in total. An MLA from Sironj, Umakant Sharma, raised the issue in the assembly. An inquiry revealed that the majority of the weddings were fraudulent, prompting the ED to investigate money laundering.

The agency uncovered how fake documents were created to transfer money to banks. The accused also prepared fake application forms in the names of beneficiaries, and the money was transferred to banks through forged documents. They withdrew the funds as soon as it reached the bank accounts.

When the mass weddings did not occur due to the Covid-19 pandemic, nearly 5,000 young men and women were allegedly shown tying the knot. The ED arrested Tripathi and his accomplices, but they were released on bail. Following the matter being brought up in the Vidhan Sabha, the government suspended Tripathi.