Mahisagar: The CID Crime, Vadodara, has arrested two subcontractors in connection with the alleged Rs 123-crore ‘Nal Se Jal’ scheme scam in Mahisagar district, furthering its investigation into alleged irregularities in the execution of rural water supply projects.

The arrested accused have been identified as Naveen Kunwarji Bharwad and Pradeep Kantilal Sheth. According to investigators, both were involved as subcontractors in the implementation of works under the scheme and are accused of malpractice and misappropriation of government funds.

CID Crime officials said several contractors and employees linked to the scam have already been arrested during the course of the investigation. Pradeep Sheth, a former executive president of the Virpur Taluka Panchayat, allegedly undertook work in multiple villages as a subcontractor under principal contractors Suryakant Patel, Rughanath P. Parmar and Manhar Jetha Patel. His arrest follows the earlier arrest of contractor Manhar Jetha Patel.

Investigators allege that Sheth carried out substandard work or claimed payments for work that existed only on paper in villages including Saraswa, Malvan, Asundaria, Bor, Bar, Bhanjini Vav, Rojav, Khata, Ghatda, Gopalpura, Jodhpur, Vadazhapa and Ratankuva, causing losses to the government exchequer.

Naveen Bharwad was also found to be involved in the alleged irregularities and was subsequently arrested, officials said.

The investigation has further revealed that substantial government dues remain unrecovered from contractors linked to the scam. Authorities are yet to recover Rs 32.64 lakh from Naveen Bharwad. In addition, recoveries of Rs 2.39 crore from contractor Manhar Jetha Patel, Rs 73.64 lakh from Suryakant Patel and Rs 2.89 crore from Rughanath Parmar are still pending, according to official records.

CID Crime officials said further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the alleged scam and identify the roles of other individuals involved. DeshGujarat