Bharuch: In a major development in the ongoing investigation into an alleged ₹7.30 crore scam under the MGNREGA scheme in Bharuch, Gujarat Congress Vice-President Hira Jotva has been detained by the Bharuch police for questioning. A police team from Bharuch reached Gir Somnath early Thursday morning and detained Jotva from Supasi village. His detention was formally recorded at Prabhas Patan police station.

According to the complaint, two firms carried out road construction projects in 56 villages across the Amod, Jambusar, and Hansot talukas and allegedly misappropriated funds amounting to ₹7.30 crore. A complaint was filed against Piyush Ratilal Nukani of Jalaram Enterprise and Jodha Naran Sabhad of Muralidhar Enterprise, along with several government officials, employees, and outsourced personnel who were found involved during the preliminary inquiry. The alleged fraud took place between January 20, 2023, and May 30, 2025.

The two agencies were contracted to supply materials for MGNREGA works. However, they allegedly supplied substandard or insufficient materials while inflating the quantities in records. Instead of employing manual labor as mandated by the scheme, the work was carried out using machinery, violating MGNREGA guidelines and resulting in financial losses to the government.

Following the registration of an FIR, SP Chavda formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to intensify the probe. Based on the statements of workers and employees, the SIT is now questioning Jotva to investigate his possible links with the owners of Jalaram and Muralidhar agencies. Police officials stated that further legal action, including formal arrest, may be initiated based on the findings.

Meanwhile, in a similar scam in Dahod, two sons of Gujarat minister Bachubhai Khabad were also arrested earlier. DeshGujarat