Rampur, India — A teacher in Uttar Pradesh has been ordered to return more than ₹21 lakh (about $25,000) after investigators concluded she obtained her government post through fraudulent means, a case that has thrown a spotlight on corruption in public education hiring.
The teacher, identified as Gyanveri Singh, allegedly secured an appointment as an assistant teacher with forged documents. The state’s education department has annulled her appointment and issued multiple notices demanding repayment of the salary she drew. Officials said she has so far failed to respond.
India to Honour Top CISOs from Police, Law Enforcement, and Defence Forces
Her husband, Negpal Singh, a revenue officer who once served as an assistant accountant in the same office, has also been implicated. Authorities accuse him of facilitating the fraudulent appointment. He has since been arrested, and his wife’s employment has been cancelled.
“This is a matter of accountability,” said one district education official, noting that a final notice has been issued and legal action will follow if the repayment is not made.
The case dates back to 2011, when the school advertised several vacancies. Investigators later uncovered irregularities in the recruitment process, which have since drawn scrutiny from the state government.
Uttar Pradesh Education Minister Sanjay Kumar Gupta said the state would review other appointments as well. “We will not only recover the money but also ensure criminal proceedings against those involved,” he said.
The Rampur case highlights the challenges India faces in tackling entrenched corruption in its education system, a sector that serves millions of children but is often undermined by patronage and fraud.
