India’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami’s family members, including his sister and her mother-in-law, have been accused of fraud related to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA), according to a report by PTI.
A district-level inquiry into alleged irregularities in MNREGA payments has brought several individuals under scrutiny, including relatives of the cricketer.
At the center of the controversy is Gule Ayesha, the mother-in-law of Shami’s sister and the current village head of Amroha, Uttar Pradesh, as per the report.
District Magistrate (DM) Nidhi Gupta Vats certified on Wednesday night that a preliminary investigation had confirmed allegations of cheating in disbursement of wages under MNREGA. Consequently, the authorities have directed suspensions of involved workers, registration of a police report, and departmental action under the Panchayati Raj Act.
“The investigation conducted by local officials found that 18 individuals were receiving MNREGA wages without carrying out any actual work. Among them are Mohammed Shami’s sister Shabina, her husband Ghaznavi, and three brothers-in-law—Aamir Suhail, Nasruddin, and Shekhu—as well as the sons and daughters of village head Gule Ayesha,” the DM stated.
As per officials, false entries have been made on MNREGA job cards since January 2021, with salaries still credited to the bank accounts of recipients until the fiscal year 2024-25 without any associated work.
The authorities have now directed the recovery of the funds misused and have frozen the Gram Pradhan's accounts. The investigation was initiated following reports in the media about the scam. Preliminary investigations suggest the role of the then Village Development Officer (VDO), Assistant Programme Officer (APO), an operator, the Gram Pradhan, and other close friends. Further investigations are still underway.
At the same time, Shami is playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He recently made a comeback to international cricket in India's home series against England following a long injury hiatus. The pacer was also an integral part of the Indian team that defeated New Zealand in the final and won the ICC Champions Trophy after 12 years.
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