Pune: An FIR has been registered against Pune-based Sinhgad Institutes’ founder Maruti Navale for alleged embezzlement of provident fund of employees worth more than ₹70 lakh, police said on Wednesday.

A provident fund worth ₹74,68,636 for more than 130 employees of a school in the Kondhwa area, run by the Sinhgad Institutes, was deducted from their salaries between October 2019 and June 2022, but only ₹3,75,774 was deposited into the PF account, police said.

The remaining ₹70,92,862 was not deposited into the PF account and was allegedly used for personal gain, as per the FIR (First Information Report).

“An official from the Provident Fund Office lodged a complaint against Maruti Navale with Kondhwa police station. We have registered a case under sections 406 and 409 of the Indian Penal Code for criminal breach of trust and relevant sections of the Provident Funds Act. An investigation is underway,” a Kondhwa police station officer said.

What does the FIR say?

The FIR reveals that a provident fund amounting to ₹74,68,636 meant for over 130 employees of a school in Kondhwa, managed by the Sinhgad Institutes, was deducted from their salaries spanning October 2019 to June 2022. However, only ₹3,75,774 found its way into the PF account, while ₹70,92,862 remained undeposited and purportedly diverted for personal gain.

Who lodged the complaint?

An official from the Provident Fund Office filed a complaint against Maruti Navale with the Kondhwa police station.

What did the police say?

An officer from the Kondhwa police station stated that they have registered a case under sections 406 and 409 of the Indian Penal Code for criminal breach of trust, along with relevant sections of the Provident Funds Act.