Mon Nov 24 15:28:47 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite based on the provided text:

Summary:

A ration card fraud investigation is underway in Thiruvananthapuram, India. A gang, including a ration outlet licensee, allegedly gained unauthorized access to the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department’s website and illegally approved approximately 150 priority ration cards. The fraud was discovered due to a discrepancy noticed by another ration dealer. The licensee, Sahad Khan, has been arrested and released on bail, while police are searching for an accomplice and investigating the possibility of insider involvement within the department. The gang is believed to have charged applicants for securing priority ration cards.

News Article:

Thiruvananthapuram Police Probe Ration Card Fraud, Suspect Insider Involvement

Thiruvananthapuram, India – November 24, 2025 – Thiruvananthapuram city police are intensifying their investigation into a significant ration card fraud involving unauthorized access to the Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs department’s website. The probe centers around the alleged illegal approval of approximately 150 priority ration cards.

The investigation was sparked by a vigilant ration dealer who noticed a discrepancy in beneficiary numbers on a priority card. This led to the discovery that 146 individuals had been improperly approved for priority ration cards.

Police have arrested Sahad Khan, 32, a ration outlet licensee from Beemapally, in connection with the fraud. Khan was released on bail on Sunday but remains under police surveillance. He is suspected of charging applicants sums starting at ₹2,500 for falsely promising priority ration cards.

According to preliminary findings, the racketeers allegedly accessed the Ration Card Management System and illegally processed applications. They are believed to have added non-priority beneficiaries to existing families with Priority Household (PHH) cards (pink ration cards).

Vanchiyoor Station House Officer H.S. Shanis confirmed the ongoing manhunt for another individual allegedly involved in the fraud. More concerningly, police have not ruled out the possibility of insider support from within the department, suggesting that the gang may have obtained login credentials to access the online system.

“We are exploring all avenues,” said an officer involved in the investigation. “The possibility of internal involvement is a key area of focus as we work to uncover the full extent of this fraud and bring all those responsible to justice.”

The City Rationing Office (South) has filed a formal complaint, prompting the police action. The investigation is ongoing.

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