LI Network
Published on: 30 January, 2024 at 12:00 IST
In a significant development, the Punjab & Haryana High Court has declined anticipatory bail to the Head Of Division of Educational Kits at the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
The accused individual is facing charges of demanding illicit gratification from a bidder in exchange for processing bills and renewing a contract related to the supply of educational kits.
Justice Anoop Chitkara, while delivering the verdict, underscored the necessity for the petitioner’s custodial interrogation to unravel the alleged corruption within NCERT.
The Court emphasized the need to explore the involvement of other officials and expose the intricate network of corruption within the organization.
The petitioner, Dr. Vijay Pal Singh, is accused under Sections 384, 420, 120-B IPC, and Sections 7 & 13(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988. The charges revolve around the purported solicitation of a bribe from a successful bidder for processing bills and renewing contracts related to the supply of science and educational kits to educational institutions.
The Court highlighted that the petitioner and an alleged accomplice deliberately delayed the release of the contract amount by several months when the bribe money was not forthcoming.
The allegations suggest that the petitioner’s associate, Neeraj Sharma, acted as a tout and received funds, constituting one percent of the contract amount, from NCERT officials.
The Court rejected the petitioner’s argument that the delay in bill payments was due to the non-payment of taxes by the complainant’s company, deeming it an afterthought.
Justice Chitkara emphasized that this argument did not overshadow the specific allegations of bribery made by Neeraj Sharma, which were found to be truthful in the investigation.
Justice Chitkara stated that this is not a case warranting anticipatory bail, as the custodial interrogation of the petitioner is deemed essential to uncover the extent of corruption within NCERT.
The Court expressed concern over the alleged practice of extracting money even from book suppliers for the provision of educational materials to young school-going children.
In conclusion, the High Court denied anticipatory bail and called for further investigation into the broader corruption scandal within NCERT. The case will be closely monitored as it progresses through the legal system.
Case Title: Vijay Pal Singh v. State of Haryana