Bhopal: A special court dealing with Economic Offences Wing (EOW) cases has dismissed anticipatory bail applications filed by former Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, Mr Lalit Mohan Belwal, along with Sushma Rani Shukla and Vikas Awasthi. The three are under investigation for alleged involvement in large-scale irregularities within the State Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM).
1983 batch IFS officer Belwal, who held the position of Chief Executive Officer at SRLM from 2015 to 2023, is accused of misusing his authority to make illegal appointments and syphon off funds earmarked for rural women’s insurance initiatives. The EOW has charged him with bypassing official protocols, overruling ministerial objections, and manipulating documents to facilitate these unauthorised appointments.
Among those allegedly appointed without eligibility were relatives of Sushma Rani Shukla, including Devendra Mishra, Anju Shukla, and others. The investigation also uncovered allegations of inflated honorariums, reportedly exceeding 40% above permissible limits, and violations of cost of living adjustment norms.
One of the more serious accusations includes the illegal collection of ₹300 each from over 81,000 women under the Community-Based Micro Insurance (Bima) Yojana. The funds, totalling ₹1.73 crore, were reportedly taken without proper authorisation, and no insurance benefits were provided in return.
The case came to light after a complaint by RK Mishra in February 2024, which prompted judicial intervention and an FIR. Preliminary findings have reportedly confirmed serious breaches of conduct, with the court noting the weight of the evidence while denying the bail pleas.
With the probe gaining momentum, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of arrests in the coming days. The EOW is expected to take further legal steps as it continues its investigation into what may be one of the most significant scams in SRLM’s history.
