MP woman tehsildar who won Rs 50 lakh on 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' held over Rs 2.5 crore flood relief 'scam'

BHOPAL: Tehsildar Amita Singh Tomar, who had earlier won Rs 50 lakh on Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), was arrested on Thursday from her residence in Gwalior in connection with an alleged Rs 2.57 crore flood relief scam in Sheopur district.

She was produced before a court and sent to the women’s jail in Shivpuri. The arrest came a day after she was removed from her post as Tehsildar of Vijaypur.

The case relates to alleged irregularities in the distribution of flood relief funds in Baroda area of Sheopur in 2021. Officials said funds meant for 794 beneficiaries were diverted to 127 fake beneficiaries. Some of these bank accounts belonged to people living outside the area.

Police said Tomar used her powers as a Drawing and Disbursing Officer to approve payments to ineligible accounts. She is also accused of taking money in return for clearing these payments.

Tomar had filed anticipatory bail applications in the trial court, the High Court and the Supreme Court, but did not get relief.

The case was initially registered against six patwaris. During investigation, the number of accused increased to 110, including 22 patwaris.

Tomar had participated in Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2011 and won Rs 50 lakh.