ED arrests 4 people in the Himachal Pradesh Scholarship Scam
Shimla, Aug 31
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has arrested Rajdeep Josan and Krishan Kumar, partner ASAMS Education Group; Hitesh Gandhi, Vice-Chairman, KC group of Institutions, Pandoga; Arvind Rajta, the then official of Scholarship Branch, Directorate of Higher Education, Himachal Pradesh on 30.08.2023 under provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 in a case connected with Himachal Pradesh Scholarship Scam. The arrested persons were produced before the Hon’ble PMLA Special Court, Shimla and the Hon’ble Court has granted ED custody for 5 days, informed a spokesperson in a media communique.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by CBI, Shimla wherein it was alleged that the state education department, private institutions and bank officials were involved in large scale mis-appropriation of disbursement of scholarship funds more than Rs. 200 Crore.
The spokesperson informed that during ED investigation it was revealed that Rajdeep Josan and Krishan Kumar through M/s ASAMS Education Group & Skill Development Society claimed scholarship under post-matric scheme for SC/ST/ OBC students by presenting fabricated documents.
“Similarly, KC Group of Institutions, Pandoga headed by Hitesh Gandhi made bogus claims for scholarship which were verified by Arvind Rajta,” they added. Adding that, ” Hitesh Gandhi transferred the scholarship disbursed in the bank account of students to the bank accounts of KC Group of Institutions, Padoga.”
Also read: ED Raids 24 locations in scholarship scam probe
Earlier, searches were conducted at 24 locations across 4 states and a Provisional Attachment Order amounting to Rs. 4.42 Crore was issued on 31.03.2022 which was confirmed by the Ld. Adjudicating Authority, PMLA.
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