Sangrur village panchayat funds: VB books ex-sarpanch, 4 others in ₹2-crore embezzlement case

The Village Board in Sangrur has taken the unusual step of filing a criminal case against former sarpanch Gurdev Singh and four other village officials over an alleged embezzlement of ₹2 crore. The action follows a detailed review of the panchayat’s financial records, which revealed discrepancies that suggested the money was not used for its intended purpose.

Gurdev Singh, who served as sarpanch of Balad Kalan village, is identified together with village development officers Manjeet Singh and Kulwinder Singh and panchayat secretaries Kuldeep Singh and Dharam Singh. All five have been named in the case file, which alleges that they misappropriated public funds belonging to the village panchayat.

The Village Board, responsible for maintaining the panchayat’s accounts, discovered that several payments recorded in the ledger did not correspond with supporting documentation. Based on these findings, the Board decided to initiate a criminal complaint.

Following the Board’s recommendation, the matter was forwarded to the appropriate legal authorities, which will evaluate the evidence and determine the formal charges. The booking of the case represents a step toward accountability in local governance and demonstrates the Board’s intent to protect public money.

This development occurs amid ongoing discussions about transparency in village administration across Haryana. The case underscores the need for robust record‑keeping, regular audits and clear procedures to ensure that public money is utilized for community benefit rather than personal gain.

Village councils in Haryana operate under the Panchayati Raj system, which mandates transparent financial management and regular audits. The Sangrur case highlights the importance of adhering to these norms and may encourage other local bodies to adopt stricter controls.

Local residents have voiced concern that the misallocation of funds could affect essential community services. Stakeholders expect that the case will prompt greater diligence and openness in the management of rural development programmes.

As the legal process proceeds, the focus will remain on ensuring that any proven wrongdoing is addressed through due process, and that public resources are safeguarded for future development.

Source: Hindustan Times