BJP leader arrested for drawing freedom fighters' pension

Hubli, Aug 15 (UNI) A local woman BJP leader has been arrested on charges of fabricating records of widows of freedom fighters and drawing pension by opening bogus accounts in banks.

Police said BJP Hubli taluk unit vice president Gangambika Havalad had arranged pension for 12 women both from the Central and state governments by producing fabricated documents that they were widows of freedom fighters.

Of the Rs 7,500 received by each bogus pensioner, Ms Havalad would take Rs 6,000 and give the remaining to them.

Based on a tip off, the police arrested Ms Havalad on Sunday and produced before a magistrate who remanded her in judicial custody.

She had been carrying out the illegal operation in Gadag and Haveri districts too, police added.

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