The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has uncovered shocking financial details in the ongoing Shalarth ID Scam (teachers recruitment scam) linked to illegal teacher appointments. According to the SIT, the scam involves a financial turnover of over Rs 122 crore and this amount could increase during the further investigation. Since 2019, hundreds of teachers were illegally appointed using fake Shalarth IDs.

 

This scam is believed to have continued until 2025. Several officials, including many former Deputy Directors of Education, Education, are suspected to be involved. A police official said that out of 622 appointed teachers, only 75 were hired following proper procedures. The remaining 547 teachers were appointed using fake IDs. During questioning, it was revealed that each fake teacher was paid between Rs 20 and Rs 30 lakh for their job. On an average, if a fake teacher was paid Rs 25 lakh, the total came to 122 crore. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and In-charge of SIT, Sunita Meshram confirmed that the investigation is now focused not just on Deputy Directors, but also on education officers and the teachers themselves. More arrests are expected soon. The SIT has also found evidence against retired Deputy Director Satish Mendhe. A team went to Bhandara, on Friday, in an attempt to arrest him, but he was not found at his residence. The SIT officials are now reviewing more documents and interviewing suspects to identify all those who played a role in the fake recruitment network.

 

 

Vaishali Jamdar served as Deputy Director of Education in Nagpur between 2021 and 2023. Investigators discovered that 211 of the fake Shalarth IDs were created during her tenure. Jamdar was arrested on a production warrant from Aurangabad on Friday. She wasproduced in the court on Saturday. She has been remanded to police custody until May 26. Other arrested accused include Laxman Upasrao Mangam, who is in the SIT’s custody until Monday; and Chintaman Vanjari, who will remain in the police custody until May 29.