MANISH SURI Vs. STATE & ORS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This saying of a great philosopher is referred to as opening remark of this order in view of the allegations made and on the basis of which, F.I.R No. 27 of 2013 dated 28 th October, 2013 came to be registered in Police Station, Crime Branch, Srinagar, u/s 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act, 420, 468, 471, 120 ­ B RPC and F.I.R No. 36/2013 dated 07th November, 2013, registered at Police Station, Crime Branch, Jammu, u/s 420, 468, 471, 120 -B RPC, read with section 5(2) Prevention of Corruption Act.

(2.) The Chairman, J&K Board of School Education (J&K BOSE), addressed a communication to Inspector General of Police (IGP), Crime Branch, J&K. The communication was sent on the basis of Enquiry Report of the Joint Secretary, J&K, BOSE. Report of the Joint Secretary was also made part of the aforesaid communication.

(3.) The enquiry conducted by the Joint Secretary, J&K, BOSE, brought to surface that Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) Course conducted by ETT Colleges, has, allegedly, turned out to be a huge scandal, where money in hundreds of crores has changed hands in the shape of bribe and almost all stake holders were, allegedly, involved in the said loot. The report also revealed that all sorts of malpractices were committed, in as much as, allegedly, neither registration of candidates was done in time nor classes were started and nor were the hostel facilities provided. In the report it was further alleged that the candidates were lured and amounts, ranging from Rs.45, 000/ - to Rs. 80,000/ - were extracted from each one of them through touts for providing them degrees/certificates by these ETT Colleges, who had not even fulfilled basic norms/standards laid down by the National Council for Teachers Education. It was also alleged in the report that these Institutions were allowed/permitted to run the courses without issuance of No Objection Certificates from the State Government, which is granted after inspection of these Colleges. It was further alleged in the report that a mafia in league with BOSE authorities is involved in this huge scandal. It was further stated that almost 480 colleges are operating in the Sate of J&K, out of which around 80 Colleges are in Kashmir Division and around 320 Colleges are in Jammu Division. It is in this backdrop that the aforesaid two FIRs were registered at Police Station, Crime Branch, Srinagar and Police Station, Crime Branch, Jammu, respectively.