CBIs Investigation Completed in Himachal Pradesh Scholarship Scam Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has completed its investigation into the Himachal Pradesh scholarship scam case. The CBI has filed complaint letters against 20 institutions and 105 individuals, including owners of these institutions, employees of the state’s Higher Education Department, bank employees, and others. During the investigation, 19 people including employees of the Higher Education Directorate in Shimla, chairpersons of educational institutions, vice-chairpersons, directors/employees, and bank employees were arrested.

The CBI alleges that from 2013 to 2017, approximately Rs 181 crore of fraudulent scholarship claims were made by private educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh. The case was registered in 2019 at the request of the state government. Subsequently, the Himachal Pradesh High Court also monitored the investigation closely. Reports on the progress of the investigation were filed from time to time. This case pertains to the misuse of the scholarship scheme initiated by the central government for the benefit of students from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes. The scholarship scheme was implemented through the state government.