40 years after appointment, Agra teacher faces FIR over ‘job fraud’

The inquiry found that records had allegedly been falsified during the appointment process, including the use of the candidate’s mother’s name in the relevant documents. Addresses of the two brothers were found to be the same in official records.

Based on a complaint filed by Block Education Officer Rajput, an FIR has been lodged against Chandra, Lavania and the school’s former manager, Naveen Parashar, for cheating and forgery at Ekta police station in Agra.

Senior Sub-Inspector Pradeep Kaushik said the probe will ascertain whether any false documents were used to secure the job.

Retirement benefits under scrutiny

The inquiry also found alleged irregularities in the payment of Chandra’s retirement benefits in 2021. According to officials, Chandra took voluntary retirement (VRS) two years before his scheduled retirement.

Officials said Parashar allegedly authorised the payment despite no longer having legal authority to act as manager. His management committee’s term had ended in 2019, while Anil Kumar Sharma was the recognised manager in 2021.

According to officials, Lavania, who retired from service in 2020, allegedly arranged for the benefits to be released by showing Parashar as the school manager.

Agra Basic Education Officer Dr Rakesh Singh said the case was registered after multiple inquiries, including those by the district administration and education department, found irregularities in the appointment.

He said the department would also seek recovery of the salary and retirement benefits paid to Chandra after his appointment was found to be invalid.

The school is a government-aided institution up to the junior-high-school level, while Classes 9 to 12 are run on an unaided basis.