Bharuch: The Bharuch police have intensified their probe into the ₹7.3 crore MNREGA scam that has sparked controversy across the district. After the arrests of Gujarat Congress Vice President Hira Jotwa and a technical assistant named Rajesh Tailor on Thursday, Jotwa’s son, Digvijay Jotwa, was also detained in connection with the case today. Digvijay was recently elected as the Sarpanch of Supasi Gram Panchayat.

The case revolves around an FIR registered over a month ago against two Gir Somnath-based agencies accused of siphoning off MNREGA funds in Bharuch. Hira Jotwa was taken into custody late Thursday night. Police allege that he was a “sleeping partner” in both firms and directly benefited from the misappropriated funds. District Superintendent of Police Mayur Chavda stated that investigators are also following the money trail.

The FIR was filed by Assistant MGNREGA Account Officer P.U. Chaudhary, naming Jalaram Enterprises (run by Piyush Nukani) and Murlidhar Enterprises (owned by Jodha Sabhad). The complaint cited irregularities in MNREGA projects across the Amod, Jambusar, and Hansot talukas, where the agencies allegedly submitted fraudulent bills violating tender conditions.

Both Jotwa and Tailor are set to be produced in court on Friday. Meanwhile, agency owners Nukani and Sabhad remain absconding.

The FIR also notes significant discrepancies in material usage in village road construction projects. In one instance from Jambusar, bills claimed 128.40 cubic metres of material supply, whereas only 28.32 cubic metres were actually used—far below the specified 103 cubic metres. Similar anomalies were recorded across 56 villages. DeshGujarat