'Sunny Leone' avails benefit of Rs 1,000 for economically weaker married women scheme in Chhattisgarh!

PTC Web Desk:  Chhattisgarh officials recently uncovered a bizarre case of fraud involving forged documents under the Mahatari Vandan Scheme, a government initiative supporting economically weaker married women. Shockingly, the fraudulent application listed Bollywood actor Sunny Leone as the beneficiary, with her husband’s name recorded as Johnny Sins, an adult film star.

The investigation revealed that Virendra Joshi, a man from Bastar, had used fake documents to fraudulently claim benefits under the scheme. Joshi misused the identity of an Anganwadi worker, Vedmati Joshi, to register for the scheme, which provides Rs 1,000 per month to eligible women. He had been siphoning off funds since March 2024 by transferring the money from the forged account to his own.

Upon discovering the anomaly, Bastar Collector Haris S ordered a detailed probe, freezing of the related bank accounts, recovery of stolen funds, and the filing of an FIR against Virendra Joshi. Disciplinary action has also been initiated against Vedmati Joshi and the supervisor responsible for lapses in oversight.

Launched in 2024, the Mahatari Vandan Scheme targets economically disadvantaged women, including widows, divorcees, and abandoned women, providing monthly financial aid. Beneficiaries must meet strict eligibility criteria, such as belonging to below-poverty-line families and lacking immediate family members in government employment.