Mumbai Education Deputy Director Sandeep Sangve Suspended on Corruption Charges

The issue was raised through a calling attention motion by BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay in the state assembly, who had charged that Sangve was involved in a grand scam of salary fake-offs, manipulation of educational data (Shalarth IDs), and discrepancies in school adjustments involving over 150 teachers in day schools and night schools.

 

Sandeep Sangve, the Deputy Director of Education (Mumbai), was suspended after serious charges of corruption, anomalies in the payment of teachers, and misutilization of government money. The suspension was made by School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, who also directed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigation to come up with a comprehensive report within eight days.

 

The issue came to light through a calling attention motion of BJP MLA Sanjay Upadhyay in the state assembly, alleging that Sangve was at the center of a huge scam of salary falsifications, manipulation of education statistics (Shalarth IDs), and school adjustment irregularities regarding over 150 teachers of day and night schools.

 

In the course of his speech to the House, MLA Upadhyay unleashed a fury of criticism on Sangve, accusing the officer of abusing his office to illegally sanction backdated files and embezzling crores of rupees from the state treasury.

 

"Sandeep Sangve acts as though he's above the law. He openly brags that nobody can do anything against him," Upadhyay added, explaining further that Sangve had managed to approve hundreds of documents by altering dates in order to draw cash using fraudulent methods.

 

Upadhyay also accused Sangve's agents of approaching him, challenging him to not raise the issue in the Assembly, threatening and intimidating him. He also accused municipal officials of having been tailing him, and Sangve having made inducements to MLAs in exchange for not cross-questioning him.

 

He has been holding the same post for 13 years, and now they are announcing that he is ready to offer Rs 5 crore to influence the entire Assembly," Upadhyay asked, baffled as to how this top-ranking officer had remained undetected till now.

 

The revelations evoked outrage across party lines, and a few MLAs from different parties demanded Sangve's immediate suspension. MLA Randhir Sawarkar endorsed the charges, alleging that Sangve was attempting to "control the Assembly" by means of money power.

 

Despite Education Minister Dada Bhuse's initial assurances of an inquiry, member unhappiness led to a commotion in the House. Following mounting pressure, Bhuse suspended Sangve, assuring that a Special Investigation Team would carry out a comprehensive probe and submit a report within eight days.

 

“This man has held the same post for 13 years, and now there's talk of him offering Rs 5 crore to influence the entire Assembly,” Upadhyay said, questioning how such a powerful officer had escaped scrutiny for so long.

 

The revelations shocking both sides, some MLAs of both sides have asked for the suspension of Sangve on the spot. MLA Randhir Sawarkar justified the charges, alleging Sangve attempted to "control the Assembly" using money.

 

Although Education Minister Dada Bhuse had previously assured an inquiry, frustration among members led to a commotion in the House. Under mounting pressure, Bhuse suspended Sangve, promising a Special Investigation Team would undertake a proper investigation and submit a report in eight days.

 

What Is the Case About?

 

Shalarth ID Manipulation: Sangve allegedly manipulated Shalarth IDs (teacher details and salary systems) to divert money.

 

Illegal Salaries Disbursement: Funds meant for salaries of approximately 150 teachers were purportedly embezzled.

 

Backdating the Approval of Files: Several files were claimed to have been vetted with fake dates to approve illicit payments.

 

Bribery and Coercion: Sangve was said to have attempted to bribe legislators and coerce complainants.

 

Minister Bhuse has assured the House that no corrupt official will be shielded by the government, regardless of how powerful they are. The SIT probe will probe financial information, file clearances, cyber trails of the Shalarth system, and other documents.