Five Pune-based self-help groups booked

Police have booked Markandeya, Pratiksha, Balaji, Chameli and Ramji under sections 406, 420, 34 of the IPC

An offence has been registered against some self-help groups for women in Bhavani Peth for allegedly selling 1,155 kilogram of rice — meant for midday meal for students — to private shops.

Madan Hagavne (43), an officer in the state government’s school education department, lodged the FIR in this case with Khadak police station.

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Accordingly, the police have booked self-help groups named Markandeya, Pratiksha, Balaji, Chameli and Ramji under sections 406, 420, 34 of the Indian Penal Code and sections of the Essential Commodities Act.

Police said the government had handed over the rice to these self-help groups so that they can provide midday meals to the beneficiary students in some of the city-based schools. But for personal gains, they allegedly sold the rice worth Rs 46,200 to private shop owners.

Police Sub-Inspector S P Devkar is investigating the case.

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