UP Ballia CSC Operator Booked for ₹15,000 Defrauding Case

February 28, 2026

Ballia (Uttar Pradesh): In a case that has raised concerns over fraud at common service centres (CSCs), police have registered a fraud and forgery case against an operator accused of deceitfully taking money from a consumer under the pretext of completing an official payment. The incident came to light after a consumer complaint revealed discrepancies in a submitted receipt and payment record.

The First Information Report (FIR) was filed on Friday evening at the Nagra police station against accused Deepak Rao, who operates a CSC contracted by the power department. The complaint was lodged by Jai Prakash Yadav, a junior engineer at the Salempur power sub-station, acting on behalf of the aggrieved consumer.

Allegations of Deceit Under Power Relief Scheme

According to the complaint, a local consumer named Lallan Rajbhar visited the CSC to deposit ₹15,000 under a power bill relief scheme. Rao allegedly accepted the full amount but only recorded ₹2,000 as paid, keeping the remainder for himself. The operator then handed Rajbhar a forged receipt showing ₹15,000, leading the consumer to believe the transaction had been properly processed.

However, when Rajbhar presented the receipt at the power sub-station, officials discovered that only ₹2,000 had been logged in the system. The glaring mismatch between the submitted amount and official record triggered the complaint and subsequent police action.

Police Register Case, Hunt Launched

Following the complaint, Nagra SHO Sanjay Mishra confirmed that an FIR for fraud and forgery has been officially registered against Deepak Rao. Law enforcement authorities are now actively searching for the accused to arrest him and bring him to justice. Efforts are also underway to gather more evidence and investigate whether other consumers may have been similarly affected.

The police have indicated that they will be scrutinizing all available documents and digital records from the CSC to build a stronger case. Local residents and consumers have been urged to check their receipts and payment records for discrepancies.

Local Impact and Consumer Trust Issues

The case has sparked concern among Ballia residents, especially those who regularly use common service centres for official transactions such as bill payments, subsidy applications, and government services. Common service centres are often considered vital access points for digital transactions and essential services in semi-urban and rural areas, making trust and accountability critical to their operation.

Experts say such incidents can undermine public confidence in CSCs, urging authorities to strengthen oversight mechanisms and improve monitoring to prevent similar frauds. Affected consumers expressed shock over the deceit and have called for strict action against individuals who exploit vulnerable customers for personal gain.

Action Against Forgery and Fraud

Police have clarified that charges have been filed under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to fraud and forgery. Investigators may also examine whether charges under financial or cybercrime statutes are applicable depending on how the forged documents were produced and used.

The investigation is ongoing, with authorities aiming to ensure that justice is served and that the consumer’s money can be recovered if possible. Residents in Ballia and neighbouring areas are being advised to remain vigilant and report any irregularities they observe at service centres.