Pune: A shocking case of financial fraud has come to light at Modak International School, Loni Kalbhor, where an accountant allegedly misappropriated ₹16.89 lakh collected from parents as school fees and fled. To conceal the fraud, the accused also stole eight accounting registers and receipt books from the school.

The incident occurred between January 10, 2023, and June 21, 2024. The school’s director, Sanjay Vasant Modak, filed a complaint at the Loni Kalbhor police station, leading to the registration of a case against Sheetal Venkatesh Gore (40), a resident of Sanskruti Colony, Bhekrai Nagar, Phursungi.

According to the police, Gore was responsible for managing the school’s financial transactions, including fee collections. She allegedly embezzled ₹8,49,300 in academic fees, ₹1,57,278 in pre-primary fees, and ₹4,38,810 in uniform fees, amounting to a total of ₹14,45,388.

Furthermore, to cover up the fraud, she reportedly stole ₹2,44,000 in cash, along with eight accounting registers and receipt books from the director’s office, before resigning from her position.

The misappropriation was uncovered during an internal audit conducted by the school. Following the discovery, the school authorities approached the police. Sub-Inspector Ratnadeep Birajdar is leading the investigation into the matter.