RTE educational scam comes to limelight, case registered on Jog Education Trust
Chaitraly Deshmukh-Tajane
Pune : The Education department has filed a case of cheating against Pune-based coaching and educational institute for allegedly forging signatures and cheating.
A series of incidents have happened between January 1, 2019 and May 24, 2022. A cheating case has been registered against Surekha Suhas Jog, president, Jog Education Trust along with two officials of the State Education department and one from MGNREGA department.
Kisan Dattoba Bhujbal, 53, deputy education officer, Pune Zilla Parishad had filed a complaint with the Bund Garden police based on which a First Information Report has been registered.The two officials of the State education department who have been allegedly involved in cheating have been identified as Gautam Shankar Shedge, a class two officer and Kishan Pawar, a retired deputy education officer.
The official from the MGNREGA’s department named Hemant Sawalkar have been named in the FIR. The FIR stated that Jog Education Trust cheated the State Education Department by allegedly forging the signature of Pune ZP Primary Education Officer to prepare a self-recognition certificate.
The trust principals had furnished fake documents of its schools to the education officer to get fees of 25 per cent students admitted under the Right To Education (RTE) Act. It has been revealed that the officials from the Education Department took Rs 2.75 lakh bribe for the same.According to the police, a complaint was lodged with the State Education Department. The scam came to light during an inquiry.
The police investigation revealed that Pawar, Sawalkar took Rs 25,000 each for preparing 11 fake self-recognition certificates. Thus, Rs 2.75 lakh rupees were taken to prepare 11 certificates.
Sawalkar illegally accessed the register at the ZP, took its photos and sent them to school staffer Mahesh Kulkarni. An application was also submitted online to get fees under the RTE Act. Economic Offences Wing PI Sunil Khedekar is investigating further.
Surekha Jog’s son is a famous actor, said the police.
