The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has escalated its corruption allegations against the Delhi government, filing a formal complaint with the ACB regarding irregularities in a ₹90-crore bicycle procurement tender for girl students.

  • AAP MLA Sanjeev Jha filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB).
  • Allegations of a ₹90-crore scam in the Vidya Vahini Yojana bicycle tender.
  • Claims of bid-rigging, product substitution, and massive losses to the state exchequer.
  • Demand for an FIR against DoE officials and Matta Sports Private Limited.

The political battle in Delhi has intensified as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched a fresh offensive against the government. Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha has formally approached the Delhi Police’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), seeking an FIR and a criminal probe into alleged irregularities within the bicycle procurement scheme designed for Class 9 girl students.

The controversy centers around a ₹90-crore tender floated by the Directorate of Education (DoE) under the flagship Vidya Vahini Yojana. AAP alleges that the procurement process for 1,30,000 bicycles was marred by large-scale corruption, bid-rigging, and the intentional substitution of high-quality products with substandard ones.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this controversy strikes at the heart of social welfare governance. If the allegations regarding inflated pricing and vendor favoritism are proven, it could signal a systemic failure in how Delhi manages its large-scale procurement for educational empowerment.

The scheme intended to empower female students has allegedly been subverted into a vehicle for illicit enrichment.

According to the complaint, the tender for Mountain Terrain Bicycles (MTB) was set at an estimated ₹6,923 per unit, despite market values for identical specifications being as low as ₹4,100. This discrepancy has reportedly caused a loss of approximately ₹36.70 crore to the state exchequer. Furthermore, Jha alleged that the bidding process was manipulated through unreasonable turnover caps to exclude manufacturing hubs like Ludhiana.

The investigation's focus is also on Matta Sports Private Limited, the firm awarded the contract. AAP claims the firm has no prior history in bicycle manufacturing or sales. Additionally, the complaint highlights a discrepancy in models: while the Hero Skyler 26T was specified, the vendor is allegedly supplying the Hero Bonfire 26T, which features inferior wheel rims, tyres, and brake assemblies.

Education Minister Ashish Sood has defended the procurement, stating it was conducted through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) following all prescribed parameters. Sood accused AAP of fluctuating their allegations, noting that the party has changed its claimed commission percentages multiple times over the last week.

Did You Know?: The Vidya Vahini Yojana is a critical initiative aimed at reducing dropout rates among girl students by providing mobility solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the specific allegations made by AAP?
AAP alleges criminal conspiracy, bid-rigging, and the supply of substandard bicycles at inflated prices, causing a loss of over ₹36 crore.

2. How has the Delhi government responded?
The government maintains that the tender was transparently awarded to the lowest eligible bidder via the GeM portal and has dismissed the claims as politically motivated.