The CID on Friday issued a notice to the executive officer of Daspara gram panchayat in Chopra block of Uttar Dinajpur district for alleged defalcation of over ₹1 crore from the minority scholarship fund.

Sources said that Chopra BDO Samir Mondal hasbeen asked to take action against Tajamul Haque, the executive officer.

“We were informed about the CID notice by BDO Samir Mondal. We have told him that Haque has not been attending office for the past three months,” Mansur Alam, chief of the gram panchayat, said.

Sources said Haque is suspected to have misappropriated the funds, but the CID will probe if others are involvedas well.

“We have asked the panchayat secretary to handle Haque’s work,” said Alam.

Students fall ill

Around 25 students of Bimalpara Chauli Free Primary School in Kaliaganj, North Dinajpur, became unwell after they consumed some unidentified fruit on Saturday. Currently, 20 children are admitted to the Raiganj Medical College and Hospital.