Dahod: Gujarat minister Bachubhai Khabad’s son, Balvant Khabad, was arrested on Sunday, just days after securing bail in a separate MGNREGA-related case.

Balvant and his brother Kiran, sons of the state minister for panchayat and agriculture, were granted bail on May 29 in connection with an FIR registered in April. However, Kiran was immediately taken into custody in a new case, and Balvant was arrested on Sunday after a fresh FIR was lodged against him by the Dahod ‘B’ Division Police on Saturday.

According to the police, the FIR dated May 31 alleged that Balvant’s firm, Shree Raj Construction Company, Pipero, fraudulently received ₹33.86 lakh from the government for incomplete MGNREGA work in Bhanpur village, Dhanpur taluka, during 2022–23.

This marks the third FIR filed since April by Dahod police, who found that various agencies were paid under the MGNREGA scheme despite failing to deliver materials or complete assigned work.

The FIR accuses Balvant’s firm of colluding with government officials to obtain payments without fulfilling the contract terms.

On May 16, both brothers were arrested on charges of cheating, forgery, and criminal breach of trust, linked to an alleged ₹71 crore scam involving fake completion certificates and forged documents for MGNREGA projects between 2021 and 2024.

Police said both Balvant and Kiran operate agencies involved in fraudulent activities in Dahod district’s Devgadh Baria and Dhanpur talukas.

While both were released on bail on May 29, Kiran was re-arrested the same day in a new case. According to another FIR registered on May 29, Kiran’s firm and others received ₹18.41 lakh for incomplete MGNREGA work in Lavaria village. DeshGujarat