Man booked for embezzling funds

FARIDKOT: The local police have booked a former sarpanch of Machaki Khurd village for allegedly embezzling funds. The suspect has been identified as Jaspal Singh. On the complaint of Block Development and Panchayat Officer Ashok Kumar, a case under Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered against him. It is alleged that Jaspal Singh, during his term as the sarpanch of Machaki Khurd village from 2008-2013, embezzled grants received from the state government for various development works in the village. Denying the allegations, Jaspal Singh said he was implicated in a false case due to political vendetta. Bhupinder Singh, investigating officer, said further investigation into the allegations against the former sarpanch had been initiated. TNS