Mumbai/ Nashik: A major breakthrough has been achieved in the investigation into Maharashtra's widely discussed 'Shalarth ID' scandal. Nashik police have arrested Sanjay Garud, who runs an educational institution in Jalgaon district. Investigating agencies allege that profiles for over 150 fake teachers were created on the government's Shalarth portal, falsely linking them to an institution managed by him.
An investigation is underway regarding allegations that government salaries were drawn using these fraudulent identities. It should be noted that the allegations against the accused have not yet been proven in court.
Shalarth is an online portal of the Maharashtra government used to manage salary and service-related information for teachers and education staff.
Investigating agencies allege that fake IDs were created on this portal in the names of teachers who had never actually been appointed. It is further alleged that these fake identities were later used to draw salaries from government funds.
According to the Nashik Police, 67-year-old Sanjay Garud has been arrested in the Natepute area of Solapur district.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Sandeep Mitke said that the investigation revealed the creation of over 150 fake teacher profiles, falsely linked to an educational institution run by Sanjay Garud.
A case has been registered against him based on these allegations, and the investigation is proceeding.
According to the investigating agency, the involvement of over 200 schools has come to light during the investigation; more than 1,200 accused individuals have been identified, and five people have been arrested so far. The investigation is ongoing, and the police have said that further arrests could follow.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the state government is investigating this case. The investigation is being conducted under the leadership of Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Secretary of the Rural Development Department. The investigating team is examining the creation of fake Shalarth IDs, financial transactions, and the roles of the individuals and entities involved.
In July 2025, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that the creation of fake 'Shalarth' IDs pointed to a scam spanning the entire state.
According to him, there were allegations that government salaries were being drawn by creating fake IDs in the names of teachers who had never actually been appointed. He noted at the time that the financial irregularities involved in the case were initially estimated to range between ₹2,000 crore and ₹3,000 crore. He also mentioned that charge sheets would be filed against those involved.
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