UP clerk arrested for siphoning of Rs 15 lakh election fund

A clerk posted at the district election office here has been arrested for alleged embezzlement of Rs 15 lakh during the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections earlier this year, police said today.
"Wasee Ahmad, a resident of Raebareli, was arrested under relevant sections of IPC on the instructions of District Magistrate Yogesh Kumar yesterday," Aniruddh Singh, SHO of Gauriganj police station, said.
Ahmad allegedly withdrew Rs 14 lakh and Rs 94,000 from the treasury on separate occasions, citing election expenses including payment for the vehicles used by the district administration during the polls, the SHO said.
"As per the investigation report, this money was used by him in personal interest and he filed fake bills and vouchers showing poll expenses. The matter came to light when vehicle owners complained that Ahmad was demanding a bribe to clear their dues," the SHO said.

A team of administration officials, including Gauriganj sub-divisional magistrate Moti Lal and additional magistrate Shailendra Tripathi, was appointed by the DM to probe the matter, Singh said, adding that Ahmad has been suspended and the administration was making efforts to recover the money.