Explainer: Probe picks up pace in multi-crore paddy scam in Fatehabad

Nearly three years after a multi-crore paddy procurement scam rocked Haryana’s Fatehabad district, the investigation has finally picked up pace. On Saturday, August 9, the police recovered Rs 7 lakh in cash during the interrogation of two key accused at present in remand. This comes after the arrest of three men — Balihar Singh (Ratia), Kewal Singh (Nanheri) and Bhupinder Singh (Burj) — by the Economic Offences Wing, for their role in the Rs 6 crore fraud under the 2020 “Meri Fasal Mera Byora” scheme. The accused allegedly registered fake paddy crops using forged documents and benefited from government procurement schemes. The scam, which caused significant losses to the state exchequer, also implicates several government officials now under investigation.