Event manager in UP embezzled money of artists, STF arrested him from Lucknow:

News Topical, Digital Desk : UP News: Uttar Pradesh STF has arrested an event manager who used to embezzle the money given to artists participating in cultural programs organized by the government. The accused Neel Vijay Singh alias Shivendra Pratap Singh has been arrested from Vibhutikhand police station area of Lucknow, he is a resident of Kanpur.

STF had received a complaint that there was a discrepancy in the amount to be paid to the artists during the “India-Nepal Friendship Festival” organized by the Culture Department. Investigation revealed that a female artist was promised Rs 35,000 for a singing program, but she received only Rs 30,000. Later, suddenly Rs 2.41 lakh was deposited in her account from the State Treasury, Lucknow. Immediately after this, Neel Vijay Singh started calling her and pressuring her to return the money.

According to the victim, when she refused to return the money, Neel Vijay along with his brother, mother, sister-in-law and a female companion reached her house and started threatening her. He also threatened to kill her by taking the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

During interrogation, Neel Vijay Singh admitted that he used to make fake bills in the name of artists in connivance with the officials of the Culture Department. The name of the Assistant Director of the Department, Rajesh Ahirwar, has also come to light, who used to get the bills passed and get the payment from the treasury. After this, the money was taken back by putting pressure on the artists and commission was distributed from it.

Fake bills were prepared in the name of artists

The STF investigation has also revealed that the accused had prepared fake bills in the name of other artists as well, which had fake signatures. In the case of the victim Shreya Mishra, a serious charge of attempting to extort money as well as threatening to kill has also been registered. In this case, a case has been registered in Gomtinagar police station under several sections of the Indian Justice Code (BNS). The local police is arresting the accused and taking further action.

Artists from all over the country come to the India-Nepal Friendship Festival

The aim of cultural events like India-Nepal Friendship Festival organized by the Uttar Pradesh government is to promote cultural relations between India and Nepal. Artists from all over the country are invited to these events, whose remuneration is decided by the government. But if corruption takes place in such events, not only the artists are exploited, but the image of the government is also tarnished. This action of the STF is considered a big step towards exposing such corrupt networks.