Rs 250 crore HP scholarship scam: CBI files FIR

Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday lodged a  First Investigation Report (FIR) against Himachal Pradesh Government officials along with many state and private education institutes for involvement in Rs 250 crore scholarship scam which is believed to have darkened the future of kids during the past three years.

A CBI source confirmed that the matter was forwarded to the state unit of central agency to lodge

the case booking the culprits in multi-crore scam which had already been established by the state agencies.

CBI has so far booked around 25 private institutes under section 409, 419, 465, 466, 471 and 13(b) under Prevention of Corruption Act.

The FIR said that Rs 250 crore meant for the scholarship of tribal students was transferred in the bank account of beneficiaries siphoned illegally by private institutes in their accounts with cyber crime. The institutes with the help of bank officials forged a mobile number for One time password (OTP) which will be probed by CBI now.

On December 15, 2018, state government announced to institute CBI probe in the matter to unravel the

scam which involved many state and private institutes and government officials.

The state government initially handed over the case to State Vigilance but after discussion in the  cabinet meeting  it  was decided to hand over to CBI . Preliminary inquiry was lodged at Chota Shimla police station on November 16 last year after which the matter was taken up with the union home ministry to further transfer it to the CBI.

The scam lasted for three years depriving 360 tribal students directly and thousand others due to discontinuation of this central scholarship scheme.