After questioning Deputy Director (Education) Ulhas Narad in the Shalarth ID scam, cyber police have identified seven Government officials who played a key role in the fraud. One of them was called for questioning on Friday, but did not show up, police said. Meanwhile, police searched Narad’s office and seized important documents and computer data as part of the ongoing investigation. One of the suspects, Laxman, currently works in the Planning Department of the Zilla Parishad. Police said that he was earlier a clerk in the Deputy Director’s office.

 

He was also called in for questioning but is currently missing. Police are searching for him. Earlier, Narad had led an inquiry that claimed 213 teachers’ Shalarth IDs were fake. He blamed Pay and Provident Fund Superintendent Nilesh Waghmare, and a complaint was filed by Ravindra Patil from Narad’s office. However, in a twist, Narad himself was arrested the next day by cyber police from Gadchiroli for helping approve a fake Shalarth ID of Principal Parag Pudke. So far, five people have been arrested in this scam. Narad and another accused, Suraj Naik, were recently brought in again for further questioning. During their interrogation, new names, including Laxman’s, Contd on page 2