Hyderabad CISF pension scam: How an ASI allegedly siphoned off pension funds
HYDERABAD: A complex financial fraud involving the pension savings of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel has triggered a major multi-agency probe. The CISF pension scam case, now under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), centres on one individual, Roop Singh Meena, a former Assistant Sub-Inspector (Ministerial staff) posted at the National Industrial Security Academy (NISA) in Hyderabad. The scam, initially pegged at eight lakhs, grew to a sixty lakh fraud as the investigation progressed.
Here’s how the elaborate scheme, which siphoned off more than Rs 60 lakh, gradually came to light through official complaints and investigative findings.
Roop Singh Meena was assigned to work in the NPS (National Pension System) section of CISF NISA, Hyderabad. NISA handles payments and money matters for its own staff and 17 other CISF units. As a clerk, Meena was given important duties, like managing account details, uploading payment records, and handling withdrawal requests. He also had the passwords needed to fully access the NPS accounts of all CISF staff under NISA.
Modus Operandi
According to the CISF pension scam FIR and subsequent investigations, the scam operated through a systematic process of diversion and fraudulent withdrawal:
Rather than crediting the full NPS deductions to the rightful accounts of thousands of CISF staff, Meena allegedly funneled only partial amounts to the official NSDL website. The surplus was quietly redirected into 72 dormant NPS accounts belonging to ex-employees people who had resigned, been dismissed, or removed. These forgotten accounts, rarely monitored, became the perfect cover. Meena then altered the bank details linked to these Pension Permanent Retirement Account Numbers (PRANs) without authorization, enabling early withdrawals. The stolen sum, totalling around Rs 60,26,231, ultimately landed in bank accounts under Meena’s control.
Money Trail
The ED’s investigation into money laundering found out how the stolen money was moved around. Meena did not use just one account. He is said to have used many bank accounts in his own name, in the names of family and friends, and even in the names of people who did not know their accounts were being used.
This web of transactions made the money trail nearly impossible to trace. After weaving the funds through these various accounts, Meena eventually funneled the money back to himself or withdrew it as cash. Investigators discovered the stolen pension funds were splurged on wedding celebrations, medical expenses, clearing old debts, investing in a dairy venture, and other personal indulgences.
Unraveling
The CISF pension scam came to light internally within CISF NISA. An enquiry was initiated, leading to a formal complaint on April 18, 2023, to the Jawaharnagar police of the Rachakonda commissionerate, now Malkajgiri commissionerate. The Jawaharnagar police registered a case under sections 409 (Criminal Breach of Trust by a public servant) and 420 (Cheating) of the IPC.
Given the seriousness and inter-state ramifications, the case was transferred to the CBI, ACB Hyderabad in June 2025, following consent from the Telangana and Central governments. Simultaneously, the ED began a PMLA investigation based on the same FIR to track the money trail.
The ED moved swiftly, attaching movable and immovable properties worth Rs 80,626 belonging to Meena in March 2025. The legal process reached a key milestone on January 28, 2026, when the Special PMLA Court in Rangareddy took cognizance of the ED’s Prosecution Complaint (similar to a chargesheet) against Roop Singh Meena.
Roop Singh Meena, the alleged mastermind, now faces parallel prosecutions, a CBI probe (and eventual trial) for criminal breach of trust and cheating, and an ED prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
