The Gujarat Council of Educational Research and Training (GCERT) is at the centre of a major controversy following a printing scam resulting in financial losses exceeding ₹7 crore.
In a significant ruling, Justice M R Mengdey of the Gujarat High Court has rejected bail applications for Nikunj Thekadi, the director of Reliable Art Printing Pvt Ltd, and Harshad Patel, an accounts officer at GCERT, amidst allegations of serious financial misconduct.
The court's decision was heavily influenced by compelling evidence from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which pointed to substantial financial irregularities associated with the printing contracts awarded to Reliable Art Printing. The company had been contracted to produce various educational materials, including books and brochures, at a specified rate of ₹0.27 and ₹0.29 per double-sided page. However, it is alleged that the final billing was manipulated to inflate costs significantly, defrauding the government.
During the hearings, Advocate Arun Oza, representing GCERT, strongly opposed the bail requests, underscoring the gravity of the allegations against the accused. He argued that their actions had resulted in considerable losses to the state and highlighted the need for accountability in public financial management.
In a further development, the High Court has noted that a show-cause notice has been issued to Reliable Art Printing, mandating an investigation into the fraudulent activities and efforts to recover the embezzled funds. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is expected to take additional measures to hold those involved accountable and ensure that the misappropriated money is recovered.
As the investigation unfolds, this case has raised critical questions about oversight and accountability in public contracts, particularly in the education sector. Stakeholders are keenly watching how the authorities will navigate this serious breach of trust and the implications it may have for similar future contracts.