Fake MDA officials threaten PM Awas beneficiaries, demand cash in Moradabad

Bareilly: A gang posing as officials of the Moradabad Development Authority (MDA) allegedly demanded money from PM Awas Yojana beneficiaries in Moradabad’s Pakbara area by threatening to demolish their under-construction houses and cancel allotments.Three beneficiaries approached police on Saturday, alleging that the accused visited them, demanded cash and warned them that bulldozers would be sent if they refused to pay.Among them was Tarannum, a widow constructing a 50-square-yard house with PM Awas funds. “Two men demanded Rs 5,000 from me and then took Rs 2,500. I am a poor woman and had no choice,” she said.The alleged fraud came to light after a genuine MDA employee visited the construction site of another beneficiary, Taslim Ahmed. During verification, it was found that the accused had no connection with the authority.Ahmed alleged that four men demanded Rs 10,000 from him and assured him that construction would continue without interruption if he paid the money. “I offered to transfer the amount digitally, but they refused and insisted on cash,” he said, adding that he later withdrew the money from an ATM.Another beneficiary, Azim, alleged that he too paid Rs 2,500 after being threatened.SP (City) Ranvijay Singh told TOI that no formal complaint had been filed so far.