As investigations into the scam are still on, officials said more cases are likely to come to light where wrongful claimants took the benefits of the scheme, apparently at the cost of the actual applicants, who are running from pillar to post to get their pensions granted.

The police have registered a case at Dera Baba Nanak police

station against 17 persons, including women, following a detailed probe conducted into the allegations by DSP Mohan Lal.

Batala Senior Superintendent of Police Rajendra Dhoke, confirming the filing of the cases and arrests, said they had been asked to probe the pension grants by the district administration. “The probe in these cases is complete. I have sent the detailed report to the Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner. If the administration asks us, we will investigate more such cases,” said Dhoke, adding that the social welfare department had asked the police to verify the above said cases, mostly falling in Dera Baba Nanak police station.

Complaints regarding allegations of fake pension claimants had been made to Vidhan Sabha Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon, who is also an MLA from Fatehgarh Churian constituency, falling in Gurdaspur district. There were also allegations against certain officials who cleared the pension claims. Scores of pension seekers had allegedly submitted false affidavits regarding their age proof and officials had taken no pain to verify the facts.

The matter also reached Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, following which Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner Gurkirat Kirpal Singh was ordered to probe the issue.

“The allegations were found to be true and now law will take its own course,” said Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, adding that they were in the process to identify erring officials and action would be taken against them. The role of various sarpanches is also under the scanner.

On the other hand, Congress leaders of the area allege that action in the cases smells of vendetta.