MLA Tilak Raj Behad demands probe into alleged misappropriation of funds
my uttarakhand news Bureau
Rudrapur, 27 Feb: A serious case of alleged misappropriation of government funds has come to light from Darau village in the Kichha area of Udham Singh Nagar district. The woman gram pradhan of the village, Nazia Bi, has been lodged in Pauri Jail since December 13, yet allegations have surfaced that lakhs of rupees were withdrawn from the government account through the use of her official Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), purportedly by her husband. Nazia is currently facing other allegations too and is currently jailed in district Pauri.
In this regard, Congress MLA from Kichha, Tilak Raj Behad addressed a press conference during which he demanded immediate action in the case from the district administration. The matter pertains to Village Darau in the Kichha region of Udham Singh Nagar. In the Panchayat elections held in July 2025, Nazia Bi, wife of allegedly a BJP leader, Abdul Gaffar, was elected as Gram Pradhan from the village.
It has been alleged that at the time of contesting the election, Nazia Bi was already wanted in three cases registered in Kotdwar and was being sought by the police. Subsequently, on 13 December last year, she was arrested and has since been confined in Pauri Jail.
Addressing the media at his Rudrapur residence, Behad made what he described as a significant revelation. According to him, despite Nazia Bi being in jail, her Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) was neither suspended nor frozen. Behad alleged that Nazia Bi had issued a letter citing a fracture in her leg and appointed her husband Abdul Gaffar as her representative. The MLA further alleged that, on the basis of this letter, Abdul Gaffar, in connivance with officials of the Development Block, misused the DSC and withdrew a total amount of Rs 10.39 lakhs from the government account.
Behad stated that when the Gram Pradhan was in jail, her DSC ought to have been suspended or frozen with immediate effect in accordance with rules. But this was not done, thereby enabling withdrawal of public funds despite her being in jail. He stated that he has urged District Magistrate Nitin Singh Bhadauria to conduct an impartial inquiry into the entire episode and to initiate action within three days against the husband of the Gram Pradhan as well as the officials concerned. The MLA further warned that in case action is not taken within the stipulated time frame, he would stage an indefinite dharna outside the office of the DM.
On the other hand, reacting to the allegations, Chief Development Officer (CDO) Devesh Shasni stated that as soon as the information was received, instructions had been issued to the Panchayati Raj Officer to conduct an inquiry. He assured that a detailed report supported by evidence would be submitted at the earliest and that strict action would be taken in accordance with rules against whoever is found guilty.
The episode has raised serious questions not only about transparency at the Panchayat level but also about monitoring mechanisms within the digital governance system. Questions have arisen how the DSC of a gram pradhan lodged in jail continued to remain active. Whether this was administrative negligence or a case of deliberate collusion is now a subject of investigation. In this regard, the district administration’s inquiry report is awaited now and it remains to be seen what course of action is likely to follow. If the allegations are substantiated, the case could emerge as a major example of misuse of government funds at the Panchayat level. Meanwhile, the warning issued by the MLA to stage an indefinite protest outside the DM office is expected to add pressure on the administration to expedite legal proceedings.
In a related development, on 20 February, Bareilly Police in Uttar Pradesh had busted an illegal arms supply racket and arrested two arms smugglers, Tasleem Ahmad and Somu Khan. Five illegal pistols and cartridges were recovered from their possession. Bareilly Police had stated that during interrogation, the accused disclosed that the weapons were supplied to Abdul Gaffar Khan, husband of the gram pradhan of Darau village in the Kichha area, and to another person identified as Shami.
Abdul Gaffar Khan has supposedly also previously served as District President of the BJP Minority Morcha. After the arms recovery case gathered momentum, Behad had also addressed a press conference alleging that the weapons were allegedly procured with the intention of inciting violence in Kichha and carrying out incidents such as murder. He had then demanded a fair investigation by Udham Singh Nagar Police into the entire matter.
About The Author
