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A major pension fraud has been uncovered in Uttar Pradesh's Agra division, where the families of deceased government employees continued to draw pensions for years after their deaths. The beneficiaries allegedly concealed the deaths of pensioners — including teachers, engineers, doctors, and clerks — and kept their accounts active to siphon off government funds.
According to a treasury department investigation, more than 650 fake pensioners were identified across Agra, Mathura, Firozabad, and Mainpuri districts. The probe revealed that a total of ₹2.77 crore had been fraudulently withdrawn from government accounts in the names of deceased employees.
Recovery drive underway
Once the irregularities came to light, the treasury department initiated a large-scale recovery operation. Many of the families involved reportedly admitted guilt and returned funds totaling ₹2.42 crore so far. However, around ₹35 lakh remains unrecovered, and officials are conducting door-to-door recovery drives with the help of Amins. Notices have also been issued to the managers of banks where the deceased pensioners maintained their accounts.
Legal action and property auction threatened
Chief Treasury Officer Rita Sachan told News18 Hindi that Recovery Certificate (RC) notices have been issued to those who withdrew and spent pensions illegally. "If the funds are not returned within the stipulated period, arrest and property auction proceedings will follow," she said.
In Agra district alone, pensions totaling ₹95.21 lakh had been deposited into the accounts of deceased pensioners. Of this amount, ₹83.65 lakh has been recovered, while ₹11.55 lakh remains outstanding. Final warnings have been issued to defaulters.
New safeguards introduced
To prevent future misuse, the Treasury Department has made it mandatory for all pensioners to submit an annual life certificate. Pension payments will be immediately stopped for anyone failing to provide the certificate within the deadline.
Banks have also been instructed to regularly verify the status of account holders and report any accounts belonging to deceased pensioners to the authorities. "This step will ensure that such frauds do not recur and that public funds remain secure," Sachan said.
The discovery has sent shockwaves through the region, prompting calls for stricter oversight and digital verification systems for pension disbursement in the future.
According to a treasury department investigation, more than 650 fake pensioners were identified across Agra, Mathura, Firozabad, and Mainpuri districts. The probe revealed that a total of ₹2.77 crore had been fraudulently withdrawn from government accounts in the names of deceased employees.
Recovery drive underway
Once the irregularities came to light, the treasury department initiated a large-scale recovery operation. Many of the families involved reportedly admitted guilt and returned funds totaling ₹2.42 crore so far. However, around ₹35 lakh remains unrecovered, and officials are conducting door-to-door recovery drives with the help of Amins. Notices have also been issued to the managers of banks where the deceased pensioners maintained their accounts.
Legal action and property auction threatened
Chief Treasury Officer Rita Sachan told News18 Hindi that Recovery Certificate (RC) notices have been issued to those who withdrew and spent pensions illegally. "If the funds are not returned within the stipulated period, arrest and property auction proceedings will follow," she said.
In Agra district alone, pensions totaling ₹95.21 lakh had been deposited into the accounts of deceased pensioners. Of this amount, ₹83.65 lakh has been recovered, while ₹11.55 lakh remains outstanding. Final warnings have been issued to defaulters.
New safeguards introduced
To prevent future misuse, the Treasury Department has made it mandatory for all pensioners to submit an annual life certificate. Pension payments will be immediately stopped for anyone failing to provide the certificate within the deadline.
Banks have also been instructed to regularly verify the status of account holders and report any accounts belonging to deceased pensioners to the authorities. "This step will ensure that such frauds do not recur and that public funds remain secure," Sachan said.
The discovery has sent shockwaves through the region, prompting calls for stricter oversight and digital verification systems for pension disbursement in the future.
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