Latest news with #SatyendraJain
NDTV
8 hours ago
- NDTV
Fake Bills, Mule Accounts Found In Delhi Classroom Construction Scam: Probe Agency
New Delhi: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has unearthed substantial incriminating evidence in connection with the alleged 'Delhi classroom construction scam', following large-scale search operations carried out on June 18. The searches were conducted at 37 locations across the national capital under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The ED's probe stems from a first information report (FIR) filed by the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government against former ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain, among others. The case involves alleged financial misappropriation to the tune of over Rs 2,000 crore in the construction of approximately 12,748 additional classrooms by the public works department (PWD) between 2015 and 2023. Investigators said the initial requirement was for 2,405 classrooms, but the project scope was arbitrarily and repeatedly expanded-first to 7,180 "equivalent classrooms" and later to 12,748 rooms - without proper sanction or administrative approval. This led to significant cost escalations, reportedly up to 49.03 per cent across different project phases. ED officials said the search operation revealed original departmental files belonging to the Delhi government and rubber stamps bearing names and designations of PWD officials from the premises of a private contractor. They also recovered 322 bank passbooks linked to mule accounts, allegedly opened in the names of labourers to facilitate diversion of government funds under the guise of legitimate payments. The agency uncovered fake letterheads of contractors and shell entities, used to fabricate procurement records and generate fictitious purchase bills. Several dummy firms with no real infrastructure or operations were allegedly shown to have received substantial payments for classroom construction. The ED seized forged invoices submitted to government departments, many of which either reflected inflated costs or entirely fictitious claims. Digital evidence and other financial documents recovered during the search are currently under forensic examination. The agency said the evidence points to widespread corruption, use of shell entities, and systemic diversion of public funds. Further investigation is going on.
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Delhi ACB summons Sisodia, Jain over classroom construction 'scam'; AAP calls it 'pure politics'
NEW DELHI: The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has summoned former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and ex-PWD minister Satyendra Jain in connection with alleged corruption in construction of classrooms in government schools, officials said on Wednesday. Jain has been asked to appear on June 6, while Sisodia has been summoned on June 9, they said. In April, the ACB registered a case against the AAP leaders alleging corruption in construction of classrooms at exorbitant costs. According to the ACB, a scam of Rs 2,000 crore unearthed in the construction of 12,748 classrooms/buildings during the tenure of the AAP government in Delhi. The complaints from Harish Khurana, Delhi BJP spokesperson, MLA Kapil Mishra, and BJP's media relations department's Neelkanth Bakshi, were received regarding corruption in construction of around 12,748 school classrooms at an expenditure of Rs 2,892 crore. The cost for constructing a school room, as per the awarded tenders, was around Rs 24.86 lakh, while such a room could be made for Rs 5 lakh. Further, it was alleged that the project was awarded to 34 contractors, majority of whom are allegedly associated with AAP, JCP (ACB) Madhur Verma had said. It was decided in meetings of the expenditure finance committee for 2015-16 that the project would be completed by June 2016 at the sanctioned cost without any scope for future cost escalations. But not even a single work was completed within the prescribed time and significant cost escalations were observed, Verma said.
New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
FIR filed against Sisodia, Jain in Rs 2,000 crore classroom construction scam
NEW DELHI: The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered a case against former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia and ex-PWD minister Satyendra Jain alleging corruption in construction of classrooms at exorbitant costs, officials said on Wednesday. According to the ACB, a scam of Rs 2,000 crore unearthed in the construction of 12,748 classrooms/buildings during the tenure of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi. The complaints from Harish Khurana, Delhi BJP spokesperson, MLA Kapil Mishra, and BJP's media relations depart Neelkanth Bakshi, were received regarding corruption in construction of around 12,748 school classrooms at an expenditure of Rs 2,892 crore. The lump sum cost for constructing one school room, as per the awarded tenders, was around Rs. 24.86 lakh per room, whereas such rooms could ordinarily be constructed in Delhi for around Rs five lakh per room. Further, it was alleged that the project was awarded to 34 contractors, majority of whom are allegedly associated with AAP, Joint Commissioner of Police (ACB) Madhur Verma said. During verification, it was revealed that in the meetings of expenditure finance committee for 2015-16, it was decided that the project would be completed by June 2016 at the sanctioned cost, without any scope for future cost escalations. However, despite these directions, even a single work was not completed within the prescribed time period and significant deviations and cost escalations were observed, Verma said. During inquiry, it was revealed that the examination report of Chief Technical Examiner, Central Vigilance Commission, in the instant matter was issued on February 17, 2020 with the approval of the competent authority, however, the report was suppressed for about three years. The report of CTE/CVC raised serious violations of various clauses of the CPWD works manual 2014 GFR 2017, CVC guidelines and other irregularities and also alleged that various decisions taken after the award of tenders were not in accordance with the laid guidelines of CVC and other manuals which lead to huge escalation of cost resulting in financial loss, the officer said. CVC report also observed that ultimately the actual cost of the constructed SPS was more or less equal to the cost of permanent structures. It was observed that the tenders were floated and contracts were awarded for Rs 860.63 crore. Subsequently, contract values escalated by 17 per cent to 90 per cent due to richer specifications. The escalation amounted to Rs 326.25 crore, of which Rs 205.45 crore was attributable to richer specifications, comprising 23.87 per cent of the award value. No fresh tenders were invited to reflect these changes, contrary to CVC guidelines. In five schools, work worth Rs. 42.5 crore was executed without proper tenders, using existing contracts, they said. The competent authority has accorded its approval in filing a case under section 17-A of POC Act. A comprehensive investigation has been launched to unearth whole conspiracy and fix the role and culpability of the alleged ministers, known/unknown government officials/contractors, they added.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
FIR filed against Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Jain in Rs 2000-crore classroom scam
NEW DEHI: The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has registered a case against former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and former minister Satyendra Jain , alleging corruption in the construction of classrooms at exorbitant costs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The investigation reveals a massive scam worth approximately Rs 2,000 crores in the construction of 12,748 classrooms during the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's tenure in Delhi. ACB Chief, Joint Commissioner Madhur Verma , confirmed the registration of the FIR and stated that the investigation is ongoing. The construction of semi-permanent structure ( SPS ) classrooms, designed with a 30-year lifespan, was allegedly carried out at a cost equivalent to that of RCC classrooms, which have a 75-year lifespan. This resulted in no apparent financial benefit. The project was reportedly awarded to contractors with ties to AAP without following the proper procedure. "Significant deviations and cost escalations were observed, and not a single project was completed within the prescribed time period. The consultant and architect were appointed without following proper procedures, and cost escalations were carried out through them," said Verma. Chief Technical Examiner Report The Chief Technical Examiner's report from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) pointed out several anomalies in the project. However, the report was kept under wraps for about three years. Case Registration The case was registered after receiving permission under Section 17-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act from the competent authority. The investigation aims to uncover the extent of corruption and identify those responsible for the alleged irregularities, officials added.
