Those arrested are Hashem Ali, the cyber cafe owner from Baishnabnagar in Malda, Asharul Hossain of Ramganj in North Dinajpur, Saddik Hossain and Mobarak Hossain of Daspara in Chopra.

The accused, aged between 21 and 25, pilfered the funds meant for purchasing the tablets provided by the state government under the Taruner Swapna scheme.

Superintendent of Police Saik Das said, “It has been found in the investigation that Hashem infiltrated the Education Department’s portal in July using a mobile phone and altered account information there to divert funds.” The others, who work as labourers and cyber cafe assistants, are believed to have helped Hashem in the fraud, it is alleged.

The scam has led to widespread concerns after several students complained of their funds being diverted. At least 300 students have been affected by the fraud with 88 of them from Purba Bardhaman, 65 from Purba Medinipur and 149 from Malda district, the probe said. Assuring of a strict action against those responsible, state Education Secretary Vinod Kumar said a departmental investigation is underway into the matter.

The police, however, have not ruled out the role of more people in the fraud. Under the Taruner Swapna scheme, students are given Rs 10,000 each to buy a tablet.
There are also reports that some students even received the money twice.

Education Minister Bratya Basu on Tuesday said the state government will take all possible steps to find out those involved in the alleged misappropriation of funds allocated for purchasing tablets for class 11 and 12 students.