A Delhi court has granted bail to six individuals arrested in connection with an alleged Rs 37.2 crore scam involving the Delhi government's Jai Bhim Mukhyamantri Pratibha Vikas Yojana. The court reiterated that 'bail is the rule and jail is an exception' while granting relief to the accused.
Case Background
The case was registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in 2025 following a complaint by the Department for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. The complaint alleged large-scale irregularities by empanelled coaching institutes that claimed funds under the scheme during the 2018-19 period.
Arrests and Bail Applications
Earlier this month, the ACB arrested nine owners, directors and associates of coaching institutes. Special Judge Ruchi Aggarwal Asrani heard separate bail applications filed by Ravindra Singh Jadon, Harshit, Azad Kalet, Sanjeev Kumar, Narendra Kumar Gupta and Jeetender Kumar.
Details of the Accused
- Ravindra Singh Jadon was director of Ravindra Institute of Indian Civil Services (OPC) Pvt Ltd.
- Harshit ran Momentum NEET IIT Academy.
- Azad Kalet operated Takshila Institute.
- Sanjeev Kumar ran Prayas Institute.
- Narendra Kumar Gupta was director of Takshila Academy Pvt Ltd.
- Jeetender Kumar ran an NGO, Pahal, in Rohini, allegedly linked illegally with Kiran Institute.
Allegations Against the Institutes
The scheme, launched in 2017, provides coaching fees to empanelled institutes and stipends to eligible students through the Department for the Welfare of SC/ST. The prosecution alleged that the institutes failed to open mandatory separate bank accounts and received several crores under the scheme. Further allegations included duplication of students, forged signatures, retrospective attendance marking, non-payment of stipends despite release of funds, and claims for students who did not attend or had withdrawn from classes.
Court's Observations
Granting bail, the court noted 'the presumption of innocence and said the accused could not be detained as a punitive measure.' The court stated, 'In such circumstances, bail cannot be denied to the accused as a punishment when he would be facing the trial in accordance with law.' It further observed that they could not be kept in jail indefinitely merely because employees and students were yet to be examined.
Bail Conditions
Observing that the accused had been in judicial custody since April 30, 2026, and were not required for further investigation, the court granted bail on personal bonds of Rs 1 lakh each with one surety.
