HC directs for speedy investigations into ETT scam

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Nov 28: The State Court today directed the Crime Branch for speedy investigations into multi-crore Elementary Teachers Training Colleges (ETT) scam.
The directions were passed after the Crime Branch informed the Court that the investigation about the session 2007 to 2009 held by ETT has been completed and investigation of session 2009 to 2011 has been initiated and will be completed in a short time.
The division bench of Justice MH Attar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey directed the Inspector General of Police, Crime Branch for speedy investigations into the scam. “The investigation be completed at the shortest possible time compliance report in this behalf be filed”, the court directed.
Earlier, the IGP Crime, in his latest status report stated that investigation about session 2007 to 2009 is complete and chargesheet will be filed in the competent court of jurisdiction in nearer future. The report said the investigation with regard to session 2009 to 2011 has been started.
The DB also directed the Commissioner/ Secretary Education to file his response to the communication delivered to him by Director School Education, Kashmir (DSEK) and inform the court about the steps taken in respect of recommendations made by the committee which is headed by the DSEK.
The investigation is being conducted in the scam by Crime Branch Kashmir as well as by Crime Branch Jammu in connection with two FIRs registered one at CB Jammu and one at CB Kashmir.
Court is dealing with a PIL filed by Parents Coordination Committee way back in 2003 and till date various revelations have come before the court about the bungling and irregularities in ETT Colleges throughout the State.
In one of the reports, it is alleged that the candidates were lured and amounts, ranging from 45,000 to Rs 80,000 were extracted from each one of them through touts for providing them degrees and certificates by these ETT colleges.
Enquiry report further alleged that these institutions were allowed and permitted to run the courses without issuance of NOC from the State Government, which is granted after inspection of these colleges.
As court has already held that insatiable human greed has caused immense damage to our educational system as such the whole country will become nation of block heads, thus making its future dark.
Another report filed before the court also revealed that a mafia in league with BOSE authorities is involved in this huge scandal and almost 480 colleges are operating in the entire State out of which 80 are in Kashmir Division and 320 colleges are in Jammu Division and two FIRs have been registered with regard to ETT scam as one in Kashmir and another in Jammu Division.
In one of the communication sent by Chairman BOSE to IGP Crime because of the enquiry report of Joint Secretary BOSE and offence u/s 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy) has been added to the FIRs, which would mean that a conspiracy was allegedly hatched by the BOSE authorities with the owners of ETT institutes resulting into registering of FIR at Crime Branch Srinagar as well as Crime Branch Jammu.
Subsequently various college owners and some board officials have been held guilty during the investigation conducted by Crime Branch and action as per law has been initiated against them and outcome of action taken is being submitted to the court from time to time.