Fake teacher scam: Govt suspends 1 officer, criminal cases against 4

Maharashtra's school education department has recommended the suspension of one government officer and the filing of criminal cases against four others allegedly involved in recruiting 580 fake teachers and non-teaching staff in 12 government-aided schools in Nagpur.

- Surendra P Gangan

MUMBAI:

The department has also recommended a special investigation team investigate the role of the 12 schools' management and teachers in the alleged scam.

According to a preliminary inquiry report, the five officers, in connivance with the school management, fraudulently registered 580 fake teachers and non-teaching staff members in the state government's Shalarth portal to draw a salary in their names. The school education department has been paying these salaries since 2019, leading to a loss of over ₹100 crore to the government.