Three Kolhapur Municipal officials were suspended in an ₹85 lakh drainage scam. Investigations continue against senior and retired officers after bribery allegations and forged billing came to light.
Kolhapur | July 30, 2025: In a major development in the ₹85 lakh drainage work scam under the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation, three officials have been suspended, and more senior and retired officers are now under investigation. The scam involved issuing a bill for drainage work in Kasba Bawda that was never actually done.
The action comes after former corporator Satyajit Kadam held a press conference alleging that a bill of ₹85 lakh was passed for non-existent work. Within hours, contractor Shriprasad Varale submitted a signed acknowledgment to the Municipal Corporation, admitting that the bill was raised without completing the work. He also alleged that municipal officials took bribes in percentages and even made a screenshot of an online payment to Junior Engineer Pragya Gaikwad viral on social media.
Following the public outcry and the contractor’s revelations, Kolhapur Municipal Administrator K. Manjulakshmi launched an internal investigation and ordered strict action. On Tuesday, Junior Engineer Pragya Gaikwad, Pawdi Accountant Balwant Suryavanshi, and Senior Clerk Jayashree Hankare were suspended.
Administrator Manjulakshmi clarified that the investigation won’t stop at suspensions. Departmental inquiry has been ordered against Chief Auditor Kalawati Misal and Senior Auditor Sunil Chavan. Retired City Engineer Netradeep Sarnobat and Deputy City Engineer Ramesh Kamble will also face detailed account-based inquiries.
This sensational scam has rocked the municipal administration, gaining statewide attention. A criminal case was also recently filed against contractor Shriprasad Varale, further escalating the matter.
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