The three were identified as postmaster Suleman Sama and his two accomplices, Sajkur Sale and Ibrahim Vija. Police said they were trying to gather more information about Sale and Vija. They were booked under sections 420, 423 and 424 of the Indian Penal Code, pertaining to cheating and fraud, on the basis of a complaint filed by the Postal department.
Sama had allegedly siphoned off NREGS funds to accounts created in the names of Sale and Vija. “We are yet to check details of the accounts and transactions,” said an officer of the Bhuj taluka police, adding that the scam amount might increase.
The irregularities reportedly took place form January 2010 to October 2010. The complaint said that Sama did not pay any money to the job-card holders during the said period. Instead, he allegedly forged signatures on the post-office account withdrawal forms and withdrew money. The same money was then deposited in the two accounts opened in the names of Sale and Vija.
Later, NREGS card holders complaint to the postal department. Subsequently, the department launched an inquiry, which blew the lid off the scam.
Last year, a Rs 1-crore scam under the central scheme had surfaced at Kutiyana village in Porbandar district.