CBI probe into fake school admissions extends to Sirsa

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its investigation into the alleged fake admissions scam in Haryana government schools involving nearly four lakh students. After beginning in Hisar, the probe has now extended to Sirsa district, creating panic within the Education Department.

According to officials, the CBI has sent a formal letter to the District Elementary Education Officer (DEEO) of Sirsa demanding detailed records from 35 schools for academic years 2014–15 and 2015–16.

The agency is looking into possible discrepancies in student enrolment, scholarship disbursements and distribution of government benefits such as mid-day meals, school uniforms, stationery and financial incentives.

The CBI has specifically requested U-DISE and MIS portal data from these schools. While U-DISE (Unified District Information System for Education) is used to report student data to the Centre, MIS (Management Information System) records monthly updates on admissions and student status. Officials suspect mismatches in these records that may indicate ghost students and non-existent enrolments used to siphon government funds.

Apart from digital data, schools have also been asked to provide physical records, including class-wise attendance registers, admission and withdrawal registers, and documents detailing the distribution of incentives like scholarships and stipends. The agency has also requested bank account details of all students who received any form of government financial assistance during the two academic years in question.

Furthermore, the CBI has asked for detailed information on students who left school between September 2014 and March 2016, including their names, addresses, admission dates, withdrawal dates and reasons for leaving. Each school is required to submit this information in soft copy via email. Data has been requested from five schools in each block of Sirsa district, including institutions in Baragudha, Dabwali, Ellenabad, Nathusari Chopta, Odhan, Rania and Sirsa city.

Deputy District Education Officer Vinod Kumar Sheoran told The Tribune that the CBI’s letter regarding the matter was received earlier this week. After that, the department took action and issued necessary instructions to the schools concerned. He said that data from all the schools had been collected by Friday and would be compiled and sent to the CBI by June 12.