Ahmedabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered an offence of alleged misuse of power and financial irregularities against a former sarpanch and a talati-cum-mantri of Dhamatvan Gram Panchayat in Daskroi taluka of Ahmedabad, in connection with irregularities amounting to ₹1.55 crore in panchayat funds.

According to the complaint filed by N.N. Jadav, Police Inspector, Ahmedabad Rural ACB Police Station, the accused are Rekhaben Sanjaykumar Parekh, former sarpanch of Dhamatvan Gram Panchayat, and Harpalsinh Vaghela, then talati-cum-mantri of the same Gram Panchayat.

The ACB stated that during the financial years 2022–23, 2023–24, and 2024–25, financial irregularities were found in expenditure made from the Gram Panchayat’s own funds under various heads, including soil filling works, water supply works, festival celebrations, and salary payments.

Investigation revealed that the expenses were incurred without passing proper resolutions or obtaining required technical approvals. No proper records were maintained for the expenditure, and salaries of Gram Panchayat employees were allegedly withdrawn through bearer cheques issued in the name of the village VCE instead of being credited to the employees’ bank accounts.

It is alleged that the sarpanch and talati-cum-mantri, in collusion with each other, misused the powers of their posts and committed financial irregularities worth ₹1,55,23,420, and are suspected to have used the amount for personal gain and to accumulate disproportionate assets.

The case has been registered at Ahmedabad Rural ACB Police Station, and further investigation is underway.
DeshGujarat