Mohali Court Grants Bail to Chandigarh Councillor's Relative in Alleged Salary Fraud Case
In a significant development, a Mohali court has granted bail to Komal Sharma, the sister-in-law of Chandigarh Ward No. 4 councillor Suman Sharma, in a case involving allegations of drawing salary through fraudulent attendance practices. The case has drawn attention due to its connection to local political figures and government employment irregularities.
Case Background and Allegations
The controversy centers around Komal Sharma, who was deployed as a clerk on an outsourcing basis with the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board. According to police records, a case was registered against her at the Sohana police station in Mohali after allegations emerged that she had marked false attendance and received salary unlawfully. The prosecution claimed that Sharma had allegedly drawn a salary amounting to nearly Rs 6 lakh through wrongful means, funds which remain unrecovered to date.
Sharma was subsequently arrested by the Sohana police following the registration of the case. The allegations suggest she fraudulently claimed salary by submitting fake attendance records while working as a clerk, raising serious questions about oversight mechanisms within government contracting systems.
Court Proceedings and Bail Arguments
During the bail hearing, the defense presented several arguments in favor of Sharma's release. They contended that the case is entirely based on documentary evidence, all of which is already in the possession of the investigating agency. The defense further submitted that Sharma's mobile phone has been seized and she does not possess a passport, effectively ruling out any possibility of her absconding or tampering with evidence.
An interesting jurisdictional question was raised during the proceedings. The defense argued that Sharma was outsourced through a company based in Panchkula, while the Water Supply Department office is located in Sector 27, potentially challenging the authority of Mohali police to initiate action in the matter.
Prosecution's Opposition and Court's Decision
Opposing the bail plea, the prosecution emphasized that the case involves significant loss to the government exchequer and therefore warrants strict action. They argued that the alleged fraudulent activity represented a serious breach of public trust and financial protocols within government employment systems.
After carefully considering submissions from both sides, the court observed that all relevant documents related to the case are already with the police and, at this stage, custodial interrogation of the accused is not necessary. The court granted bail to Sharma on a personal bond of Rs 25,000, imposing several important conditions:
- Sharma must cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation
- She must not tamper with evidence in any manner
- She shall not leave the country without prior permission from the court
- She must remain present on every date of hearing
Political Context and Broader Implications
The case gains additional significance due to its political connections. Suman Sharma, the councillor whose relative is involved in this case, recently switched from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), adding a political dimension to what might otherwise be viewed as a routine employment fraud case.
This development highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in government employment systems, particularly in outsourced positions. The case raises questions about monitoring mechanisms for attendance and salary disbursement in public sector organizations, especially when services are contracted through third-party agencies.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of robust verification systems in government employment and the need for stringent oversight to prevent similar incidents in the future. The court's decision to grant bail while imposing strict conditions reflects a balanced approach that considers both the seriousness of the allegations and the practical aspects of ongoing investigation.
