Former food minister accused of misusing funds through magazine scheme
Key Points:
• Saryu Roy faces FIR with corruption charges over ₹3.38 crore scam
• Case filed for misuse of funds through ‘Aahar’ magazine scheme
• Police to issue notices to Roy and other accused soon
RANCHI – The political slugfest in Jharkhand is getting shriller as the Assembly elections draw nearer.
In the latest development, the former Jharkhand minister Saryu Roy has been named in an FIR making serious corruption allegations over a ₹3.38 crore scam involving a food department magazine.
Authorities have registered a case against Roy and four others at Argora police station in Ranchi. The charges stem from alleged financial irregularities in the printing and distribution of ‘Aahar’ magazine.
Manoj Kumar, a resident of Argora Housing Colony, filed the complaint. He accused Roy of abusing his position as food minister to illegally benefit from the magazine scheme.
"The former minister exploited his influence for personal gain," is the charge made in the FIR. The police, on the other hand, have made it clear that the investigations would begin soon.
Inspector Mukesh Kumar is leading the investigation and the police is likely to issue notices to all accused parties.
Expanding the probe’s scope
The case implicates Roy’s former private secretary Anand Kumar and marketing officer Sunil Shankar. Additionally, Ritesh Gupta of Baba Computers and a JPPL director face charges too.
However, the supporters of Saryu Roy remain unfazed. They dismiss it as an attempt to besmirch the former minister just because he has a clean image. "This appears to be a coordinated effort to sully his image," remarked one supporter of Saryu Roy.
He said: "An unbiased and thorough investigation would make it clear that there is nothing that can be thrown at a clean leader like Saryu Roy."
Detailing the allegations
The complaint alleges that Roy initiated the unnecessary ‘Aahar’ magazine project under the guise of public awareness. The complaint claims that this scheme facilitated illegal payments to his associates.
