In a major development, investigators have flagged large-scale financial irregularities in a Delhi government-run student welfare initiative, the Jai Bhim Pratibha Vikas Yojana, with alleged discrepancies estimated at around ₹145 crore. The scheme, designed to provide free coaching and financial assistance to underprivileged students, is now under intense scrutiny following revelations of fake beneficiaries, fund diversion, and systemic oversight failures. The findings have raised serious concerns over governance and monitoring mechanisms in welfare programmes aimed at education support. Preliminary estimates suggest that the scale of misuse may be higher as documentation gaps continue to emerge during verification. Authorities have indicated that multiple layers of financial transactions are being examined to trace the movement of funds. Officials are also reviewing whether any systemic collusion existed within implementing agencies and partner institutes.
Fake Beneficiaries and Forged Records Raise Alarm
The scheme was launched in 2017 with the objective of providing free coaching and financial assistance to economically weaker students preparing for competitive examinations. Initially, it covered around 5,000 beneficiaries across eight empanelled institutes. In 2019, the programme was significantly expanded, increasing the beneficiary base to nearly 22,000 students. Officials believe that the rapid expansion, without proportional strengthening of monitoring systems, created vulnerabilities that may have enabled irregular practices and manipulation of records over time. The lack of digital integration in early phases further limited real-time verification of beneficiaries. Further scrutiny is being conducted of verification and enrollment records.
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Nearly 1,000 Non-Existent Students Suspected in Probe
According to investigators, serious irregularities were detected in beneficiary records, including duplicate entries, forged documents, and suspected inclusion of non-existent students. It is estimated that nearly 1,000 beneficiaries may not have existed on the ground. In several instances, stipends meant for students were either delayed or not disbursed at all, despite records showing successful payments. Funds were reportedly transferred directly to empanelled coaching institutes, but the absence of strict audit mechanisms allowed potential misuse. In addition, several transactions were routed through general operational bank accounts rather than designated accounts, thereby weakening financial transparency and accountability. Preliminary audits suggest that verification lapses were more procedural than intentional in some cases, though detailed inquiry is ongoing. Officials examine whether beneficiary lists were intentionally manipulated to inflate enrollment numbers and claim reimbursements.
Funds Routed to Coaching Institutes Without Strong Audits
Several governance lapses have also emerged during the probe. Investigators noted that empanelment of coaching institutes was carried out without a fully transparent tendering process in certain phases. Physical inspections and verification visits were limited, reducing oversight on the ground. The absence of Aadhaar-based linkage in many cases further weakened beneficiary authentication. Officials also observed that the education department’s role in cross-verification was minimal, allowing inconsistencies in records to persist. In some cases, institutions with inadequate infrastructure were still permitted to enrol students and claim payments under the scheme across multiple administrative levels. These gaps are now being reviewed to assess systemic weaknesses in programme implementation. Authorities are considering enhanced audit mechanisms and digital tracking systems to strengthen oversight of future schemes.
Investigators Track Bank Trails, Approvals and Possible Collusion
Experts say such schemes require robust digital monitoring, real-time audits, and stringent verification systems to prevent the leakage and misuse of public funds. The Anti-Corruption Branch has intensified its investigation and is examining financial records, transaction trails, and institutional approvals to determine the exact scale of irregularities. Officials are also trying to identify whether any organised network or internal collusion played a role in facilitating the alleged scam. Investigators are mapping fund flows across multiple bank accounts and institutions to reconstruct the entire financial chain and identify beneficiaries and intermediaries involved. This phase of inquiry is crucial for establishing accountability and potential legal action. Officials believe analysing banking trails, shell entities, and layered transactions will be key to uncovering the full extent of the alleged diversion and identifying the responsible actors.
