Fifth FIR in Karnal paddy ‘scam’; 10,050-quintal shortage detected

In a major escalation of the ongoing crackdown on irregularities in paddy procurement, Karnal district authorities have registered a fifth FIR after detecting a massive shortage of nearly 10,050 quintals of paddy during a surprise inspection at a rice mill in Indri.

Police seek nod to obtain CCTV footage

Members of the SIT have sought and received permission from DC Uttam Singh to retrieve CCTV footage from grain markets to match gate-pass entries with the arrival of tractor-trailers

“We are examining the issuance of gate passes alongside the arrival of paddy in grain markets. CCTV footage will help us determine the involvement of others in these cases,” said SP Punia'

A high-level team led by Anshaj Singh, Director General, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, and Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh conducted the sudden inspection at United Foods, located in Shekhpura Bangar, Indri, on Sunday. Officials found that the department had allotted 37,720 quintals of paddy to the mill, but only 27,670 quintals were physically present.

During the inspection, the team also checked a parked truck that was reportedly loaded with 4,090 quintals of rice. However, the rice stock could not be matched with any official records. No valid receipts or supporting documents were available, and preliminary checks showed that the rice failed to meet Food Corporation of India (FCI) quality standards, raising questions about its source and intended use.

The inspection further revealed that the mill had not been operational for some time. Power consumption and meter readings showed no milling activity, making the presence of rice on the premises even more suspicious. Following these findings, a case was registered at Butana Police Station against Nasib Singh and Santosh Rani, both residents of Indri, under Sections 3(5), 316(2), and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on the complaint of Inspector Randhir Singh.

DC Uttam Singh said, “We found a shortage of 10,050 quintals of paddy during the physical verification of the mill. Verification is going on in other mills and action will be taken against those found involved in any kind of irregularity in paddy procurement.”

Police suspect that proxy procurement may have been carried out using bogus gate passes to adjust rice in the grain market. Superintendent of Police Ganga Ram Punia said the investigation was progressing on multiple fronts. “The police investigation will cover every person connected to the FIR, and we will find the source of rice found in the mill during the inspection,” he said.

In the five FIRs registered so far, the SIT has arrested five accused —including three employees linked to an FIR at City Police Station: suspended mandi supervisor Pankaj Tuli of Karnal, and Ankit and Ankush of Dabkola in Saharanpur. Two millers have been arrested in another case at Assandh. Meanwhile, market committee secretary Asha Rani and auction recorder Yashpal have been suspended; their anticipatory bail pleas were rejected by a district court.

Officials said the investigation is moving swiftly and more arrests or suspensions are likely as the full scale of the racket is uncovered.