Shahdol (Madhya Pradesh): In a case that has shocked the conscience of many, an elderly man from Shahdol district has alleged that bank officials siphoned off compensation money awarded to him after the tragic deaths of his two sons in the Aurangabad train accident during the COVID-19 lockdown in May 2020.
The complainant, Gajraj Singh, lost both his sons in the incident in which 16 migrant workers were crushed by a goods train while walking along railway tracks in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad district. Following the tragedy, Gajraj Singh received a total compensation of ₹24 lakh for the deaths of his sons, along with ₹1.05 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
“They Took Advantage of My Illiteracy”
On Tuesday, Gajraj Singh approached the Shahdol District Collector during a public grievance hearing, accusing bank officials of manipulating and misappropriating his funds. He said he was repeatedly given contradictory information about the balance in his bank account.
“First, they told me there were ₹6 lakh in my account. Later, they said it was ₹95,000, out of which I withdrew ₹20,000. After that, I was told there was no money left at all,” he said.
Gajraj Singh added, “I am not educated. I do not understand banking procedures. I don’t know what they did with my money. That’s why I came to the Collector for help.”
Aadhaar and Mobile Taken on Pretext of ‘Technical Issues’
In his written complaint, the elderly man further alleged that bank officials took his Aadhaar card and mobile phone, claiming they needed to resolve a “technical issue.” Soon after, the ₹1.05 lakh housing assistance amount disappeared from his account.
He claimed that whenever he visited the bank to inquire about his money, staff members avoided giving clear answers and kept postponing the matter.
Collector Assures Inquiry
Responding to the complaint, District Collector Kedar Singh assured that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.
“More than 200 applications are received every day during public grievance hearings. Now that this case has come to my notice, I will ensure a proper inquiry is conducted and justice is delivered to the elderly man,” the Collector said.
A Case Raising Serious Questions
The allegations have raised serious concerns about the safety of compensation funds meant for disaster victims, especially those who are illiterate or economically vulnerable. If proven true, the case could lead to strict action against the responsible bank officials.
For now, Gajraj Singh waits for justice—seeking not sympathy, but the money that was meant to compensate an irreparable loss: the lives of his two sons.
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