The Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Rewa, has registered a criminal case against five individuals for allegedly obtaining a ₹31.50 lakh bank loan using forged documents and fabricated project reports under the Prime Minister Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme. Investigators claim the accused secured the loan by proposing an ice cream manufacturing unit that was never established.

The case relates to the alleged misuse of a government subsidy scheme intended to promote micro food processing industries.

Loan Secured Using Allegedly Fake Documents

According to the EOW, the complaint was received at its Bhopal headquarters regarding a loan sanctioned by the Punjab National Bank's Venkat Road branch in Rewa to Kalpana Gupta, proprietor of Kalpana Udyog, and her husband Sandeep Gupta.

During verification, investigators found that the accused allegedly conspired with consultants to prepare a false project report and submitted forged documents to obtain loan approval. The documents were reportedly verified before the bank sanctioned the loan amount of ₹31.50 lakh.

Factory Never Established, Says Probe

The investigation further revealed that the proposed ice cream manufacturing unit, for which the loan was sanctioned, was never set up at the declared location.

Officials alleged that instead of establishing the factory, the loan amount was diverted for purposes other than those specified in the project proposal, resulting in the alleged misuse of government subsidy benefits available under the PMFME scheme.

The findings prompted the EOW to initiate criminal proceedings against those allegedly involved in the fraud.

Five Named in Criminal Case

Based on the preliminary investigation, the EOW has registered a case against:

• Kalpana Gupta, Proprietor, Kalpana Udyog

• Sandeep Gupta

• Rupesh Kumar Singh, Proprietor, Spandansh Electric and Machinery

• Santosh Kumar Verma, Proprietor, Arvindo Tech Infra

• Ankita Singh, Proprietor, Arvindo Tech Infra

Officials said the investigation is also examining the role of other individuals connected to the preparation, verification and submission of the project documents.

Case Registered Under BNS

The accused have been booked under Sections 318(4) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The EOW has launched a detailed investigation to determine the extent of the alleged conspiracy and whether additional persons or entities were involved.

Authorities are also examining financial records and project-related documents to trace the utilisation of the loan amount and identify any further irregularities.

The PMFME scheme was launched by the Union Government to strengthen micro food processing enterprises through financial assistance, credit support and subsidies. Officials said any misuse of the scheme undermines its objective of supporting genuine entrepreneurs.