Himachal Pradesh: 3 people arrested by CBI in Rs 220 Crore scholarship scam

Mangalore Today News Network

Himachal Pradesh, Jan 04, 2020:  The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested 3 persons in connection with a Rs 220 crore scholarship scam that took place in Himachal Pradesh, officials said.

 

The arrested accused have been identified as Arvind Rajta, the then Superintendent Grade-II, Department of Higher Education of Himachal Pradesh; Hitesh Gandhi, the Vice Chairman of a private group of institutions and S.P. Singh, the then Head Cashier, Central Bank of India.

"The arrests have taken place in connection with an on- going investigation of a case related to an alleged scholarship scam in Himachal Pradesh to the tune of Rs 220 crore," said CBI officials.

The CBI registered a case on the request of Himachal Pradesh Government and a notification from the Government of India on May 07, 2019, against unknown persons under section 409, 419, 465, 466 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code regarding the alleged scholarship scam in Himachal Pradesh.

"It was alleged that serious irregularities took place in disbursal of Pre-Matric and Post-Matric scholarships of more than Rs.220 crore (approx.) between 2013 -14 & 2016 -17 under State and Central Government sponsored schemes for SC/ST/OBC/MC students by the Department of Education, Himachal Pradesh," said the CBI.

The agency suspects that the income/caste certificates of alleged students were not genuine.

The CBI had earlier conducted searches at the location of 21 private institutes. During the investigation, role of certain accused persons was found. The arrested accused will be produced before the designated court.

Courtesy:India Today