CBI arrests DSP in scholarship scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested its DSP Balbir Singh in connection with an alleged scholarship scam in Himachal Pradesh. The accused, who had been investigating the case, was presented before the CBI Court in Chandigarh today, which granted a one-day remand to the CBI.

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The CBI had filed an FIR against Vishal Deep, former Assistant Director in Shimla, on December 22, 2024, based on complaints from the directors of two educational institutions. The FIR was filed under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, accusing Vishal Deep, with the help of two relatives, of extorting money by threatening to arrest the complainants in an investigation he was overseeing. However, Vishal Deep claimed that DSP Balbir Singh and one of the complainants had attempted to bribe him to avoid arresting the complainant and to dilute the charges.

During the court proceedings, Public Prosecutor Narender Singh said DSP Balbir Singh had arranged a meeting with the complainant, Vishal Deep, at Hotel Lalit in Chandigarh on December 14, 2024, where they negotiated a bribe of Rs 55 lakh. Singh, as the investigating officer in the scholarship scam, was well-acquainted with the complainant. CDR (Call Detail Record) analysis substantiates his presence at Hotel Lalit on that date. Furthermore, he allegedly facilitated the delivery of the bribe near Aerocity Road, Zirakpur, to other involved parties. There are two incriminating recordings of his telephonic conversations with the complainant just prior to the delivery of bribe during the trap proceedings.

Vishal Deep, during his interrogation, disclosed that DSP Singh had mediated the bribe negotiation at Hotel Lalit. The Public Prosecutor emphasised the need for custodial interrogation of DSP Singh to recover the remaining bribe amount of Rs 1 lakh and to understand the modus operandi of the crime, which involved communication through WhatsApp and the Zangi app with an international number.

On the other hand, defence counsels PK Dogra and Vinod Sharma denied the allegations, arguing that DSP Balbir Singh had filed the charge sheet against the complainant in the scholarship scam. They claimed he had been falsely implicated and was suffering from several health conditions.

After hearing the arguments, the court granted the one-day remand and allowed the plea of the counsels to allow them to meet the DSP at CBI office.