FIR Against Manish Sisodia, Satyendra Jain In Rs 2000 Crore Classroom 'Scam'

The case has been filed following an investigation by the ACB, which has alleged massive corruption in the construction of 12,748 classrooms  during the tenure of the AAP government in Delhi.

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has filed an FIR against Aam Aadmi Party leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain in connection with an alleged Rs 2000 crore classroom scam. The case has been filed following an investigation by the agency, which has alleged massive corruption and financial irregularities in the construction of 12,748 classrooms  during the tenure of the Aadm Aadmi Party government in the national capital.

At the time of the alleged scam, Sisodia served as Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister, while Jain held the Public Works Department (PWD) portfolio. The Aam Aadmi Party is yet to react to the FIR against its senior party leaders.

What Is The Rs 2000 Crore Classroom 'Scam'?

According to the ACB, the project witnessed significant cost escalations, procedural violations, and delays. None of the construction works were completed within the stipulated timeline of the project. Investigators also noted that consultants and architects were appointed without following due procedures, and were allegedly used to push through inflated costs.

The case was registered after receiving permission u/s 17-A POC Act from the competent authority.

The controversy first came to light when the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), in a report dated February 17, 2020, highlighted glaring discrepancies in the construction of over 2,400 classrooms at Delhi government schools. The Delhi government’s Vigilance Department subsequently conducted an internal review and, in 2022, recommended a formal investigation, submitting its findings to the Chief Secretary.

The FIR has been filed after President Droupadi Murmu granted the Anti-Corruption Bureau permission to initiate a probe against both leaders under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to a report by the Times Of India, ACB Chief, Joint Commissioner Madhu Verma has confirmed the registration of an FIR against both Sisodia and Jain. He also said that an investigation was underway.

The report also said that the semi-permanent structure classrooms, which generally have a lifespan of 30 years, was allegedly constructed at a cost equivalent to that of RCC classrooms, which have 75-year lifespan.