Gujarat Minister’s Son  Held in MNREGA Scam of Rs 71 Cr

Dahod, Gujarat – In a major breakthrough in the ₹71 crore MNREGA scam, the Gujarat Police on Monday arrested Kiran Khabad, the younger son of Panchayat Raj Minister Bachu Khabad. He was apprehended from the Vadodara-Halol highway and has been brought to the police station for further interrogation. His arrest follows the detention of his elder brother, Balwant Khabad, who was taken into custody on May 17.

The scam, which has rocked the political and administrative circles in Gujarat, involves large-scale corruption in the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) in Dahod district. A police complaint was registered by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Director, accusing 35 agencies of involvement in the massive scam.

Details of the Scam

The ₹71 crore scam centers around funds allocated under the MNREGA scheme in the Devgadh Baria and Dhanpur talukas of Dahod. These funds, meant for rural employment and development, were allegedly misused. Investigations revealed that despite no real work being carried out on the ground, fake documents and forged entries were used to siphon off the money.

Both sons of the Minister—Balwant and Kiran Khabad—allegedly owned or were associated with some of the 35 agencies named in the FIR. The scam is suspected to involve money laundering, embezzlement of funds, and collusion with government officials.

Police Action and Arrests

The complaint filed by the DRDA Director at the Dahod B Division Police Station triggered swift action. On May 17, Balwant Khabad was arrested along with then Taluka Development Officer (TDO) Darshan Patel. Both were produced before the District and Sessions Court in Dahod, where the police had sought a 14-day remand. However, the court granted a 5-day remand for further investigation.

With the arrest of Kiran Khabad, the investigation has now gained further momentum. The police are continuing their efforts to trace and apprehend others allegedly involved in the scam.

Political Ramifications

The scandal has become a significant political controversy in Gujarat. Questions are being raised about Minister Bachu Khabad’s accountability and the integrity of the Panchayat Raj system under his watch. Political analysts suggest that the fallout from the MNREGA scam could impact the ruling party’s image in the upcoming state elections.

Meanwhile, calls for a thorough and impartial investigation are growing, with opposition leaders demanding that the case be handed over to a higher investigative agency.