SUPREME COURT TO HEAR PIL ALLEGING SIPHONING OF FUNDS MEANT FOR SC/ST STUDENTS

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear next week a PIL alleging siphoning of Rs 18,000 crore funds meant for granting Post-Matriculation scholarship to students belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. A bench comprising Chief justice Dipak Misra and Justice A M Khanwilkar considered the submission of lawyer M L Sharma, who cited a Comptroller and Auditor General’s report in his support of his allegation.

The Public litigation by the lawyer claimed that the amount involved and sought registration of an FIR and prosecution of those involved in the alleged scam.  

The plea also assailed the recent amendment made in the prevention of corruption act, that mandates prior approval for prosecuting a public servant.  The plea has made the CBI, ministry of social justice and empowerment, and ministry of law as parties to the PIL and has sought court-monitored SIT probe into the alleged scam.