India, July 29 -- The Nashik Crime Branch on Tuesday arrested a BJP-linked education trust director in the alleged multi-crore Shalarth ID fraud, where forged appointment approvals and fake entries in Maharashtra's teacher payroll system were allegedly used to siphon government funds meant for teaching and non-teaching staff.

Sanjay Bhaskarrao Garud (67), founder-director of Shendurni Education Society and manager of several educational institutions in Jalgaon district, was arrested from Natepute in Solapur district. Police said he had been hiding at a farmhouse and was tracked through technical surveillance and confidential intelligence.

Garud joined the BJP from the NCP (SP) in January 2024 and is considered close to state water resou...