Year on, Loharan residents still await their money

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 10

Even after a year, Loharan residents are running from pillar to post to get their money back which they had lost in the Cooperative Society scam.

One of the sufferers Darshan Singh, a retired employee of the Health Department, said his wife had suffered a heart attack a few days ago and he had to borrow money to get her treated.

“I have lost Rs 16 lakh in the scam and I do not know who to approach in the absence of any support,” he said.

One of the sufferers said in the absence of the money, not even their sons care about them.

In a shocking turn of events, the scam of Rs 27 lakh was first reported in May last year at an agricultural society in Loharan, Bhogpur, which was later swelled to Rs 70 lakh. It has now turned out to be around Rs 1,85,00,000.

Eleven elderly persons from Loharan and nearby villages had reached the rural police station and alleged that their hard-earned money had been misused by the society secretary. Before complaining to the SSP (rural) police, they had approached the Cooperative Department several times.

According to the complainants, the account statements of loan and other accounts were issued by the society, but amounts were never deposited and entries were not made in the account books. The complainants recently lodged the complaint against the secretary of the society with the Audit Department.

The sufferers said they had deposited different amount on several dates with the society in savings bank, loans and FDR accounts. They alleged that the FDRs and other receipts were issued, but when some of them contacted the society, they found that the receipts were fictitious and amounts were never deposited in their bank accounts and the cooperative bank under which the society worked. Harbhajan Singh (76), a farmer, who was unable to walk properly, had come to the rural police district headquarters to seek justice.

While talking to The Tribune, he had said all his life with much difficulty, he had earned the money and now, he did not know where the money had gone.

“I don’t know what will happen, I have lost Rs 6 lakh,” the elderly said, hoping that action would be taken in the matter and he would get his money back.

Other victims of the scam include Raghubir Singh (79), Malkiat Singh (75), Hardayal Singh (77), Darshan Singh (80), Beant Singh (87), Charanpreet Singh, Manohar Singh (76), Gurnam Singh (67) and Gurbachan Singh (88).