A key accused, contract engineer Jojo Johny, who was named as the primary accused in the police FIR, is yet to be located. The team visited Thondernad Panchayat and began reviewing records related to MGNREGS spending. Due to the fact that the MGNREGS department handled the selection of beneficiaries and implementation directly, Panchayat members washed their hands of all responsibility in the matter. The MGNREGS department of Thondernad panchayat had directly procured applications from beneficiaries before approving said projects. The final approval and validation of MGNREGS project funds is the responsibility of the concerned secretary.