CBI Registers Case In Minority Scholarship Scam, 830 Fake Institutes Under Scanner

New Delhi, August 30 (TNA) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has began a probe into the Minority Scholarship scam. In a report of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, which has become part of the CBI FIR, it has been said that out of 1572 institutions in 21 states in 100 districts, 830 institutions have been found completely fake.

About 53 percent fake candidates have been found. The largest number of such institutes are in Assam (225), Karnataka (162), Uttar Pradesh (154) and Rajasthan (99). The scam has caused a loss of Rs 144 crore to the Ministry of Minority Affairs during the years 2017-2022. Officials said on Tuesday that the FIR has been registered against banks, institutions and others under various sections of the IPC.

In this, provisions of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and Prevention of Corruption Act have been slapped. Union Minister Smriti Irani had handed over the investigation of the case to the CBI. The Ministry of Minorities had lodged its complaint with the CBI on 10 July. According to the ministry, by the end of the year 2021-22, an average of 65 lakh students have received this scholarship annually in the last five years.

This scam is not possible without the connivance of institutions, banks and applicants as the scholarship amount goes directly to the bank account of the beneficiaries.