Senior Aam Aadmi Party leaders Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain have been summoned by the Delhi government’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in connection with an alleged ₹2,000-crore scam in the construction of classrooms and school buildings during the previous AAP administration.
The ACB, which registered a case on 30 April, has directed Sisodia—who served as Deputy Chief Minister and held the education portfolio—to appear before investigators on 9 June. Jain, former Public Works Department (PWD) Minister, has been asked to join the inquiry on 6 June.
The case pertains to the construction of over 12,700 classrooms and school infrastructure, allegedly at grossly inflated costs. The anti-corruption body has said its investigation revealed “significant financial irregularities, deviations and cost escalations” in the project. The cost of constructing each classroom was reportedly ₹24.86 lakh—nearly five times higher than the standard cost.
The ACB claims that contracts were handed to 34 firms, many of which were allegedly linked to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party. Moreover, the structures were described as Semi-Permanent Structures (SPS) with a projected lifespan of 30 years, although the cost was pegged closer to that of more durable Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) structures, which are expected to last 75 years.
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Additionally, a ₹326-crore increase in the project’s cost was reportedly approved without fresh tenders, in contravention of established procedures.
The AAP has dismissed the case as politically motivated. “The case against its leaders was registered to ‘pressure and scare’ them,” the party said, defending the integrity of its much-publicised Delhi education model.
AAP leaders have long touted the transformation of Delhi's government-run schools as a key electoral plank, and Sisodia had often described the education reforms as the party’s flagship achievement.
The developments come at a time when multiple AAP leaders are already facing legal proceedings in separate cases, further heightening political tensions between the Delhi government and central agencies.
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