Meanwhile, the police have also sought panchayat records and statements of the officials probing the misuse of funds. Tarn Taran SSP P K Rai said though the police had started raiding different places, the arrests could not be made unless they get the required records pertaining to the works conducted in the Gandiwind block.

However, there were apprehensions that the records would never land up with the police as these were not even given to the panchayat officers concerned.

“Obtaining these records is a difficult job. Will the police get them is yet to be seen,” said SDO, Panchayats, Navdeep Singh Gill, who had conducted a probe into the misuse of public funds.

BDPO Rasal Singh and BDO Shubh Parkash had been booked under sections 409, 467, 468, 471, 420 and 120-B of the IPC.