Significant developments are expected soon in the multi-crore scholarship scam in Uttarakhand. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has directed the police in five districts to submit reports within three days on irregularities found in educational institutions linked to the fraud.
The scam, which surfaced a few years ago, involves large-scale misuse of the central government’s minority scholarship schemes. Investigations so far have raised suspicions about 17 well-known institutions out of 92 under scrutiny.
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On Wednesday, a review meeting of the SIT was held at the police headquarters to assess progress in the probe. Inspector General of Police (Crime & Law and Order) instructed the Senior Superintendents of Police in Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, and Rudraprayag to complete the preliminary inquiry into suspected institutions and individuals within three days.
The central government runs three main scholarship schemes for minority students, Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-cum-Means scholarships, under which funds are directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts via DBT. However, in 2021–22 and 2022–23, several institutions and students in Uttarakhand were found to have siphoned off funds through fake admissions, forged documents, and other fraudulent means.
According to officials, action is being planned against those found guilty. This includes cancellation of accreditation for fraudulent institutions and the filing of criminal cases against individuals, institutions, and intermediaries involved.
The SIT, formed on July 24 under the Home Department, is led by the IG (Crime & Law and Order). Its mandate is to thoroughly investigate cases of forged documents, fake admissions, and financial irregularities. District-level teams, headed by Sub-Divisional Magistrates, are also working on detailed reports of suspected institutions.
With 17 institutions already under deep suspicion, the SIT is now preparing for decisive action to bring the accused to justice.