580 teachers found registered in Shalarth using fake documents
Sadar police have taken into custody three more individuals in connection with the fake Shalarth ID scam, through which Parag Pudke was wrongly appointed as a headmaster despite having no teaching experience.
The newly arrested persons include government officers and staff from the offices of the Education Officer and the Deputy Director of Education. Those arrested are Nilesh Shankarrao Meshram, a Class II Superintendent from the Education Officer’s office; Sanjay Shankarrao Dudhalkar (53), attached to the Deputy Director of Education’s office; and Suraj Punjaram Naik (40), a Senior Clerk from the same office.
According to police sources, the scam seems to involve several senior officials. The Crime Branch is now probing the role of the Deputy Director of Education (Nagpur division), Assistant Deputy Director, Junior Administrative Officer from the Education Deputy Director’s Office, Education Deputy Inspector, and the Education Officer of Zilla Parishad, Nagpur.
Apart from this, a formal complaint has also been filed against the headmaster of Kidwai School, Majeed Pathan, the school’s legal advisor Parvez, and two other officials from the Education Department. The complainants have demanded a detailed and transparent inquiry into the matter.
Shocking details have emerged from the education department following the suspension of Ulhas Narad, Deputy Director (Nagpur division), and Nilesh Waghmare, Superintendent of the Salary Section, in connection with the fake salary scam. In a fresh revelation, a headmaster of an aided school in the city has been reinstated to his post despite facing serious criminal charges.
The case pertains to Kidwai High School and Junior College, where headmaster Majeed Pathan was found guilty of misusing his position. Allegations against him include extorting money from teachers, making illegal appointments, and inappropriate behaviour towards female staff members. An inquiry committee was set up, which confirmed the charges and recommended his removal. A criminal case was also registered, and the matter is currently sub judice, with the court staying the illegal appointments.
However, in blatant violation of rules, Pathan was reinstated. Teachers allege that the reinstatement did not follow any official school-level procedure. No resolution was passed by the school committee, and instead, Pathan allegedly drafted his own reinstatement proposal using official letterhead, which was then approved by the then Education Officer.
On Saturday evening, teachers and staff — Sagir Ahmed, Firoz Khan, Mohd Asrar, Ejaz Khan, Ayesha Tarannum, Yasmin Bano, Swaleha Tabassum, and Asma Khan — submitted a formal complaint to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, demanding strict action against Pathan and Parvez, the school’s legal advisor. The complaint includes charges of corruption, extortion, and misconduct.
Teachers are now demanding a thorough investigation and immediate criminal proceedings against all those involved in this illegal reinstatement.