Gujarat Congress Vice President Hira Jotva Detained In ₹7.3 Crore MGNREGA Scam Probe
Bharuch: In a major development tied to a ₹7.3 crore MGNREGA scam, Gujarat Congress Vice President Hira Jotva has been detained by Bharuch police for questioning. The detention took place early Thursday morning in Supasi village, Gir Somnath, and was officially recorded at Prabhas Patan police station.
Police sources say further legal action, including a possible arrest, may follow based on the outcome of the interrogation. The scam, uncovered in May this year, involves alleged irregularities in 430 development projects carried out under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) across 56 villages in the Amod, Jambusar, and Hansot talukas of Bharuch district. A formal complaint was lodged on May 30 by an official from the Gram Vikas Agency at the A Division Police Station in Bharuch.
Investigators have focused on two firms based in Veraval, Shri Jalaram Enterprise and Muralidhar Enterprise, accused of manipulating official records, delivering substandard construction materials, and using machines instead of employing manual labour as required by the scheme’s guidelines.
Police have identified Piyush Nukani and Jodhabhai Sabhad, the proprietors of the two companies, as central figures in the fraud. Both are reportedly closely linked to Hira Jotva, raising questions about possible political influence or protection.
The case has been taken over by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Bharuch Superintendent of Police. The SIT has recorded multiple witness statements and summoned Jotva to clarify his association with the contractors.
While officials are yet to confirm whether Jotva has been formally arrested or remains in detention for questioning, sources within the police say financial and political links are being closely scrutinized as part of the broader investigation. “Hira Jotva was detained from Gir Somnath, and police are bringing him to Bharuch for questioning,” said Bharuch Congress leader Sandeep Mangrola.
Jotva is a high-profile figure in state politics, having contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Junagadh and the 2022 Assembly elections from Keshod. He previously served as the General Secretary of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) and is currently its Vice President.
As the probe deepens, investigators are tracking financial records and communication trails to uncover the full scope of the scam. Further detentions and legal action are expected as more evidence comes to light.