The Thiruvananthapuram City police have intensified their investigation into a ration card fraud in which a gang, allegedly including a ration outlet licensee, gained unauthorised access to the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department’s website. The group is suspected to have illegally approved nearly 150 priority ration cards.
The Vanchiyoor police had arrested the licensee, Sahad Khan (32), who operated a ration outlet in Beemapally, almost three weeks ago. He was released on bail on Sunday and remains under police surveillance.
Quick thinking by a ration dealer lifted the lid off the racket. The dealer noticed a discrepancy when a family of five holding a priority ration card claimed to have six beneficiaries. When he flagged the issue to the rationing officer, a subsequent check revealed a mismatch in official records. A detailed inquiry later confirmed that 146 individuals had been approved for priority ration cards without following due procedure.
Complaint
A formal complaint from the City Rationing Office (South) prompted the police investigation and the arrest.
According to preliminary findings, the racketeers allegedly accessed the Ration Card Management System and processed applications illegally. They are believed to have added new beneficiaries, including non-priority ration card holders, to existing families with Priority Household (PHH) cards (pink ration cards).
Vanchiyoor Station House Officer H.S. Shanis said Sahad is suspected of collecting sums starting from ₹2,500 from applicants after promising to secure priority ration cards for them.
The investigation team has launched a manhunt for another person who allegedly assisted Sahad in executing the fraud. The police have not ruled out the possibility of insider support from within the department. The gang is believed to have obtained login credentials to access the online system.
Published – November 24, 2025 08:58 pm IST
