A fresh case of scholarship fraud has surfaced in Uttar Pradesh, this time involving the wife of a police constable.

Reshma Saifi, wife of constable Mohammad Arif posted in Kanpur, allegedly siphoned off nearly ₹70,000 in government scholarship funds meant for students from minority communities. According to a complaint filed by advocate Mohammad Shahid of Shastri Nagar, Saifi secured the funds for her B.Ed studies at Ismail National Women’s PG College in Meerut by submitting her mother’s income certificate.

Records show that she received ₹33,710 in 2022–23 and another ₹36,360 in 2023–24. However, after verification, the Minority Welfare Department found irregularities and ordered her to return the money to the state treasury.

Following the inquiry, the District Minority Welfare Officer directed Kotwali police to file a cheating case against Saifi. CO Kotwali Antariksh Jain confirmed that further action will depend on the ongoing investigation.

The case has also brought scrutiny on her husband, a native of Muzaffarnagar, as questions are being raised over how a policeman’s family member could exploit the welfare scheme.

Meanwhile, in an unrelated development, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a new state scholarship in the name of astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla—the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station. The initiative will support UP students pursuing higher studies in space technology.