A major bribery scandal has surfaced in Kanpur’s education sector, where Rajeev Kumar, a clerk working as a project coordinator at the District Education Centre, was arrested by Lokayukta police after being caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. The bribe had allegedly been demanded to clear development bills for a local school.
The incident unfolded when the school director, who had submitted an RTI application regarding the delayed processing of their bills, alleged that Kumar demanded the bribe to expedite the clearance process. The school director’s testimony brought the issue to the Lokayukta’s attention, leading to an undercover operation in which the clerk was apprehended while accepting the cash.
In his role as project coordinator, Rajeev Kumar was responsible for overseeing school-related administrative tasks, including bill processing for development projects. Lokayukta police arrested Kumar after he was caught accepting the bribe. The case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and an investigation into the incident is now underway.
The Education Department has responded firmly, stating a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption within its ranks. Kumar was immediately suspended pending further investigation. A departmental inquiry has been announced to evaluate the full scope of the situation, and authorities have assured that strict action will be taken against any personnel involved in corrupt practices.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns over corruption in educational administration, especially in areas impacting school development funding. In his statement, the school director expressed frustration over the bureaucratic hurdles that had initially prompted his RTI application and the subsequent bribery demand.
With Kumar’s suspension, the department hopes to convey a message against corruption: "Zero tolerance for corruption. A departmental inquiry will follow to ensure accountability.” Authorities have emphasised the importance of integrity within educational departments and affirmed their commitment to rooting out corruption.
As investigations progress, the case continues to shed light on the need for stringent oversight mechanisms in administrative processes within the education sector to prevent such incidents in the future.