Uttarakhand: ED attaches assets in SC-ST scholarship scam case

New Delhi (IANS) | The Enforcement Directorate (ED) Dehradun branch has attached immovable property worth Rs 1.45 crore belonging to Roorkee-based Vali Gram Udyog Vikas Sansthan in connection with the SC/ST scholarship scam. This group runs Techward Wali Gram Udyog Vikas Sansthan Group of Institutions. ED initiated investigation under PMLA on the basis of FIR filed by Haridwar Police in Uttarakhand under various sections of IPC. During investigation it was found that Techward Wali Village Industries Development Institute had fraudulently obtained huge amount of scholarship in the name of SC-ST students from Haridwar Social Welfare Department for the period 2011-12 to 2014-2015. The amount of scholarship given by the government to the college for SC-ST students has not reached the beneficiary students.

The ED further said that the institution had fraudulently completed all the formalities for obtaining scholarship under the SC/ST scholarship scheme. It is also clear from the investigation that the scholarship under SC/ST scholarship scheme disbursed by the government has been embezzled by the Takeward Wali Gram Udyog Vikas Sansthan through its trustees and has caused huge financial loss to the exchequer.

The official said that the investigation under PMLA has revealed that this illegal money was used for the construction of the college and other related expenses of the college. After identification of the proceeds of crime (POC), a provisional attachment order has been issued to attach a piece of land worth Rs 1.45 crore as POC in Haridwar district. Further investigation is on in the matter.

–IANS