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In yet another setback to Uttar Pradesh’s education department, a special anti-corruption court in Gorakhpur has ordered registration of a case against Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Atul Kumar Tiwari and two district coordinators for allegedly demanding a ₹2.25-crore bribe and accepting ₹30 lakh in advance for clearing a furniture supply contract.
According to the complaint filed by Manoj Pandey, managing director of Neemne Sitting Solutions Pvt. Ltd., his company had been declared the lowest bidder (L-1) for supplying classroom furniture to 564 upper-primary and cluster schools across Gonda district.
Pandey alleged that BSA Tiwari, district coordinator (GEM) Premshankar Mishra, and district coordinator (Civil) Vidyabhushan Mishra demanded 15% of the total contract value — approximately ₹2.25 crore — as a bribe to approve the tender.
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‘Cash Handed Over at BSA’s Residence’
The complainant stated that on January 4, 2025, he was called to the BSA’s official residence at the Government Housing Colony, where he allegedly paid ₹30 lakh in cash — ₹22 lakh to BSA Tiwari and ₹4 lakh each to the two coordinators.
Pandey submitted WhatsApp chats and other documentary evidence before the court, claiming that when he refused to pay the remaining amount, his firm was blacklisted for two years. He added that when he demanded his money back, coordinator Premshankar Mishra returned ₹1 lakh, but the other two officials declined.
Officials’ Defence
The accused officials, in their written reply, denied the allegations and argued that the company had submitted forged documents during the tender process.
They told the court that the firm’s experience certificate falsely showed completed work worth ₹5.91 crore, while the actual amount was only ₹9.86 lakh. The company also inflated its 2022-23 turnover, declaring ₹19.54 crore instead of the actual ₹14.54 crore.
Citing these irregularities, the officials said the firm was rightly blacklisted, and an FIR was lodged against it on June 10, 2025.
Court’s Findings
After reviewing arguments from both sides, Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) Vipin Kumar III observed that the allegations constituted a prima facie cognizable offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
In an order issued on October 31, 2025, the court directed the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kotwali Nagar, Gonda, to register a case against the three officials and initiate further investigation.
Key Developments
- Bribe Alleged: ₹2.25 crore demanded; ₹30 lakh allegedly paid in advance.
- Accused: BSA Atul Kumar Tiwari, DC (GEM) Premshankar Mishra, and DC (Civil) Vidyabhushan Mishra.
- Evidence: WhatsApp chats and payment details presented in court.
- Officials’ Defence: Company submitted falsified documents and inflated turnover.
- Court Order: FIR to be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The case has once again highlighted persistent corruption and opacity in public procurement processes within the state’s education department — an area already under scrutiny for irregularities in infrastructure and supply contracts.
