Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 19 : In the alleged ETT scam, high court judge Tashi Rabstan today rejected the bail applications of two college owners -- Munish Suri, promoter and sole trustee of Calliope ETT College, Kathua, and Sudarshan Kumar Gupta, chairman of Vivekanand Institute of education, training and research, Lakhanpur.
According to the crime branch CB), a case under sections 420, 468, 471 and 120-B of RPC and section 5(2) of Prevention of Corruption Act was registered after an inquiry conducted by Joint Secretary of J&K Board of School Education (BOSE) revealed that Elementary Teachers Training Course conducted by ETT institutes in the state was a huge scandal where money in hundreds of crores had exchanged hands as bribe and almost all the concerned persons were involved in the loot.
Justice Rabstan, after hearing the two sides, observed that AAG while elaborating the irregularities and violations contended that neither registration of candidates was being done nor classes were being started in time or hostel facilities were provided to the candidates. It is alleged that the amount ranging between Rs 45,000 to Rs 80,000 was being taken from each student each year for the two year course through touts for providing them degrees/certificates by the erring institutes which even do not fulfil the basic norms and standards laid down by the National Council for teachers Education (NCTE). It is contended that the investigation is at its initial stage and the same is being monitored by the high court. Further, it is contended that as the allegations against the petitioner are serious in nature, he, therefore, does not deserve the concession of bail at this stage.
He observed that the interrogation report of petitioner reveals that not only the petitioners, but his close relatives have also established ETT colleges. Not only this, even it has come on record that petitioner Manish Suri has purchased a building in England out of the proceeds of the money generated through these ETT Institutes. Therefore, in view of his interrogation report as also the fact that the investigation in this case is being monitored by this court in PIL No 201/2011 and that many BOSE officers/officials are involved in this huge scam, this court does not find any reason to allow the bail application at this stage.
With these observations, the court rejected the bail applications. (JNF) |
