Srinagar, Oct 05: In the multi-crore Elementary Teachers Training (ETT) colleges scam involving many educationists, the High Court on Friday directed the Education department to submit complete records of its involved officials before the Crime Branch of J&K Police.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Alok Aradhe passed the direction after examining the status report filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Crime Branch Kashmir.
The IGP submitted before the court that the Education department authorities were not cooperating with the investigating agency.
The court observed that the action on part of the Education department authorities suggests that the officers in the department are involved in the scam which has culminated into an FIR 36/2013.
The court had previously termed the approach of the Crime Branch investigators as “dilatory” saying “the scam has taken place in 2011 and the investigation is yet to be completed”.
Coming down heavily on the officials the court said “It seems that officials are hand-in-glove with the erring institutions and have failed in controlling the illegal practice of these institutions”.
The court is hearing a public interest petition seeking probe into multi crore scam related to the irregularities in admissions to ETT colleges in the state.
In response to a bench’s query, Additional Advocate General B A Dar told the court that in keeping with the court directions amendment was carried out to Education Department Rules 2010.
The court directed for producing a report on effectiveness of the amendment.
The court has also sought details of ‘NOC’ with regard to affiliation and recognition of Institutes as also the action taken against the ETT institutes who have violated the rules.
It has also directed the government to furnish details of ETT colleges functional as well as closed in the state.
After the scam surfaced, the Crime Branch had registered two cases (FIR No. 27/2013, P/S Crime Branch, Kashmir and FIR: 36/2013, Crime Branch, Jammu) under 5(2) of Prevention of corruption Act as well as RPC sections of 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery), 471 (counterfeit seal).
