Overview

• Bharuch police arrested Hira Jotva and his son Digvijay late Thursday following an FIR filed by an assistant MGNREGA account officer on May 30.
• A Special Investigation Team led by SP Mayur Chavda uncovered evidence that two Veraval-based firms submitted forged bills and distorted tender norms to siphon scheme funds.
• Investigators allege Jotva served as a sleeping partner in Jalaram and Murlidhar Enterprises and directly benefited from the misappropriated money.
• The FIR details that contractors billed for 128.40 cubic metres of material despite only 28.32 cubic metres being used across 430 works.
• Owners of both firms remain at large and police are tracing the money trail with further arrests expected.