LUCKNOW, June 14 -- The UP Vigilance Establishment has registered a criminal case alleging large-scale embezzlement of government funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Ayodhya district where investigators claim more than Rs.58.34 lakh was fraudulently withdrawn for development works that either did not exist or were falsely shown as completed on official records. The FIR, lodged by the Vigilance Sector, Ayodhya, pertains to alleged financial irregularities in Vishunpur Natan village under Chedwa block. According to officials, government funds were shown as having been spent on pond construction and renovation projects under the MGNREGA scheme, despite no corresponding work being found on the ground. The case was registered on Thursday under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery and falsification of records. An investigation carried out by officials of the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and technical experts reportedly found that the ponds cited in official records already existed prior to the sanctioned works and had depths ranging between two and three metres, raising serious questions about the expenditure claimed under the scheme. Investigators examined three projects reflected in government records, including the construction of a pond in an agricultural field, renovation of a pond near a canal and restoration work on another village pond. The inquiry reportedly found that payments were released after November 2024 even though the ponds were already in existence. According to the FIR, muster rolls were generated and fund transfer orders issued for the projects during November and December 2024 and January 2025. Authorities found that approximately Rs.22.69 lakh was proposed for payment through fund transfer orders, while nearly Rs.38.49 lakh had already been disbursed. The inquiry concluded that the payments appeared to have been made on the basis of fabricated records, forged documentation and questionable labour attendance entries. Investigators have alleged that fake muster rolls were prepared, labour participation was falsely recorded and work completion certificates were fraudulently issued to facilitate the withdrawal of government funds....