4 lakh fake admissions’ funds siphoned off, confirms SIT

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 19

Less than two years after Haryana was directed to probe the siphoning off of funds in the name of non-existent four lakh students, the Special Investigating Team (SIT) has confirmed embezzlement. A report in the matter is being forwarded to the state government for approval to register an FIR.

Dismissing a bunch of six appeals in the guest teachers’ case in May 2016, the High Court had ordered investigation after the Bench was told that computerisation of data and verification process had brought out 4 lakh fake admissions.

The actual strength of students in government schools across the state was about 18 lakh against the registration of about 22 lakh students. The Bench was of the view that funds under welfare schemes were disbursed to even non-existent students.

As the case came up for resumed hearing on Friday, the final inquiry report in a sealed cover was produced before Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Harinder Singh Sidhu’s Bench. Referring to the report, the Bench observed discrepancy in enrolment on random checking carried out in a few schools in Rohtak, Hisar and Gurugram range. The discrepancy surfaced after feeding Aadhaar numbers and student IDs into the computer.

The Bench added the SIT was of the opinion that “large amount of funds” were allocated for school students. As such, embezzlement or misappropriation of funds was established. The SIT was also of the view that criminal offence had been committed, while mentioning provisions of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. It also recommended registration of an FIR.

Re-sealing the document, the Bench took on record the state counsel’s submission that the report would be forwarded to the government for approval to register an FIR.

Before parting with the order, the Bench asked the state to specify the time required for completing the investigation and presenting the challan or the final investigation report.

The Bench also made it clear that a decision was required to be taken against changing SIT members with the change in their place of posting or assignment.

“An affidavit by the Additional Chief Secretary (Vigilance), Haryana, be filed in this regard,” the Bench asserted, while fixing the case for the second week of April.

The Bench, in its initial order, had asserted that action should be commensurate with the guilt proved “so that the same has deterrent effect for others”.

The Bench had added that generally officers or officials found guilty even of serious charges, including corruption, were often let off with minor punishment. The Bench also expressed hope that the state would be serious and set an example for future “so that none dares to even think of these kinds of designs of corruption”.