ACB summons Sisodia, Jain in government school classroom construction scam

New Delhi: The Delhi government's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has summoned former AAP Ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain in connection with alleged corruption in the construction of classrooms in government schools.

According to the summons issued on Tuesday, Jain is required to appear at the ACB office on June 6, while Sisodia has been asked to attend on June 9. The investigation concerns suspected irregularities amounting to Rs 2,000 crore in the construction of 12,748 classrooms or semi-permanent structures during the previous AAP administration.

An FIR was registered against both leaders on April 30. At the time of the alleged misconduct, Jain was the Public Works Department (PWD) minister overseeing the construction projects, while Sisodia served as Education Minister under the Arvind Kejriwal-led government.

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has alleged a major scam in the construction of classrooms in government-run schools, claiming that contracts were awarded at highly inflated rates. According to the ACB, each classroom was built at Rs 24.86 lakh—nearly five times the usual cost.

It is further alleged that the project was awarded to 34 contractors, with a majority reportedly having links to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The ACB has pointed out discrepancies in the construction, noting that Semi-Permanent Structures (SPS), which have a lifespan of around 30 years, were built at costs comparable to Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) structures, which typically last up to 75 years.

Additionally, the project's cost was increased by Rs 326 crore without issuing new tenders, as per the ACB’s findings.

The anti-corruption body said that "significant deviations and cost escalations" were noticed, but not a "single work was completed within the prescribed period".

The Delhi government's vigilance directorate recommended a probe into the alleged scam in 2022 and submitted a report to the chief secretary. In March this year, President Droupadi Murmu gave her approval for the registration of an FIR against Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain.

The AAP has criticised the move, saying the case against its leaders was registered to "pressure and scare" them.

(inputs from IANS)