Bhopal, September 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Shobhit Tripathiformer Chief Executive Officer of Janpad Panchayat, Sironj, in Madhya Pradesh's Vidisha district, in a money laundering case linked to the alleged fraudulent disbursement of Rs 30.18 crore under the state government's Marriage Assistance Scheme.
Tripathi was arrested on Wednesday under Section 19(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002and produced before the Special Court (PMLA), Bhopal, the following day, according to an ED press note. The court subsequently remanded him to ED custody until September 9, 2026to facilitate further investigation.
The money laundering probe stems from an FIR registered by the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW), Bhopalagainst Tripathi and others.
The Madhya Pradesh government's Marriage Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance of Rs 51,000 to eligible daughters of registered construction workers. According to the ED, Tripathi served as CEO of Janpad Panchayat, Sironj, from 2019 to November 2021 and allegedly colluded with others to approve and disburse Rs 30.18 crore in suspicious marriage assistance cases.
The agency said forged and fabricated application forms and beneficiary documents were allegedly used to obtain scheme benefits fraudulently. The funds were transferred to bank accounts opened or operated using false credentials and were subsequently withdrawn in multiple cash instalments.
The investigation also found that benefits were allegedly provided to ineligible persons. The ED noted that disbursements continued even during the COVID-19 lockdown, when public marriages were prohibited.
The agency had earlier conducted searches on October 3, 2025during which incriminating documents and digital devices were recovered and seized.
The ED said its investigation is continuing to determine the full extent of the alleged money laundering and identify other persons involved in the case. Further developments are awaited.