EWS admissions: Probe into anomalies makes no headway

Vishal Joshi

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, June 25

The police investigation in a case registered against seven persons for allegedly submitting false income certificates to secure admission for their wards under the economically weaker section (EWS) quota in a leading private school here a month ago has not made any significant progress. 

Sources said that the district authorities were going slow as the role of various municipal councillors allegedly close to ruling BJP leaders and municipal corporation officials was under scanner.

It had come to light during the preliminary police investigation that municipal corporation officials had  attested the false certificates on the recommendation of the area councillors. The officials did not cross-check the particulars of the applicants whose applications were duly endorsed by the councillors.

On May 22, the seven accused were booked under Sections 420 (cheating), 181 (false statement on oath) and 200 (using as true such declaration knowing it to be false) of the IPC.

Last month, The Tribune had quoted SHO Prateek Kumar as saying the case was registered on the basis of a detailed preliminary investigation and legal opinion from the Assistant District Attorney of the Police Department.

It was reportedly found during the initial police investigation that parents had allegedly secured admission to the school illegally on seats reserved for underprivileged children.

However, the SHO said on Monday that no arrest had been made as the probe in the case was still on. 

He avoided replying to a question on the reasons for the delay in investigation.

According to Rule 134-A, persons with annual family income of less than Rs 2 lakh are eligible to get their wards admitted to private schools.

Meanwhile, complainant Vinod Rawal said that the management of Wisdom World School had provided documentary evidence along with a representation to the Chief Minister, Education Minister and the district authorities.

“But no one has responded to our initiative of exposing wrongdoings where the rights of underprivileged children have been breached. The district authorities have not clarified the action taken against ‘ineligible’ students admitted to the school,” said Rawal, school manager.

He said the fraud came to light when the school authorities started scrutinising the details of income tax returns submitted by the parents at the time of admission. In all cases, it was found the annual family income of the applicants was more than Rs 2 lakh, he added.

The income certificates were approved by the municipal authorities and acknowledged by the Education Department.

Meanwhile, District Education Officer Namita Kaushik said that a meeting of the district-level grievances redress committee would be called soon to resolve the issue.

BJP connection

• Sources say the district authorities are going slow as the role of various councillors allegedly close to ruling BJP leaders and municipal corporation officials is under scanner
• Preliminary police investigation brought out that MC officials had attested false income certificates on the recommendation of councilors
• The officials did not cross-check the particulars of the applicants whose applications were duly endorsed by the councillors

Rule 134-A says persons with an annual family income of less than Rs 2 lakh are eligible to get their wards admitted to private schools under the EWS quota.