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Rs 2,000-crore classroom ‘scam’ case: Manish Sisodia says won’t appear before ACB today, BJP calls it ‘clear sign of guilt’

ACB issued summonses to former AAP ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain last month. Jain was questioned last Friday for over five hours.

ACB summons Sisodia, ACB summons Jain, construction of classrooms, Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, delhi news, India news, Indian express, current affairsAAP leader Manish Sisodia (PTI Photo)

Summoned for questioning in connection with alleged graft in the construction of classrooms in government schools, AAP leader and former Delhi Minister Manish Sisodia did not turn up at the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) office on Monday, citing his inability to do so.

He is accused of corruption to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore in the construction of classrooms in government schools when the AAP was in power in Delhi.

ACB officials said Sisodia conveyed through his counsel that he is preoccupied with other programmes and will not be able to appear before them at 11 am. The AAP leader’s counsel said he will file a reply via email. The ACB officials said they will send out another summons soon after reviewing the reply.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said in a statement, “Sisodia will not be going to ACB on Monday due to a pre-scheduled programme. His lawyer has sent a reply on his behalf.”

ACB issued summonses to former AAP ministers Sisodia and Satyendar Jain on June 3 in connection with the case. Jain was questioned last Friday for over five hours.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, meanwhile, accused the former deputy CM of “looting” Rs 2,000 crore in the name of “building classrooms”.

In a video message uploaded on X, Sirsa said, “Neither you (Sisodia) are the deputy CM, nor an MP, MLA, or a councillor. Then how come you are so busy?” He further wrote, “Sisodia’s refusal to appear before the ACB is a clear sign of his guilt in the classroom construction scam.”

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The summons came after the ACB registered an FIR in the matter on April 30 based on allegations of financial irregularities in the construction of more than 12,000 classrooms or semi-permanent structures in Delhi government schools.

Sisodia held the finance and education portfolios in the AAP government, while Jain was the minister of health, industries, power, home, urban development, and the Public Works Department (PWD).

Madhur Verma, Joint Commissioner of Police, who heads the ACB, had confirmed the registration of the FIR.

BJP leaders Kapil Mishra, Harish Khurana, and Neelkant Bakshi had filed a complaint in 2019, alleging financial irregularities in the construction of classrooms in Delhi government schools in three zones. They said the construction cost per room stood at approximately Rs 24.86 lakh, exponentially higher than the roughly Rs 5 lakh it takes for similar constructions in Delhi. The BJP leaders also alleged that the project was awarded to 34 contractors, most of whom were associated with the AAP.

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According to ACB officials, 12,748 semi-permanent structures were supposed to be built for Rs 1,200 per square ft, but the cost shot up to around Rs 2,292 per sq ft during construction. ACB is probing this alleged cost-escalation.

-With PTI inputs

Sakshi Chand is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. With over a decade of experience in investigative journalism, she is a leading voice on crime, the prison system, and institutional governance in the National Capital. Professional Background Specialization: Her reporting focus includes high-stakes crime, national security, prison reforms, and traffic governance. Key Coverage: She has been on the frontlines of major events such as the 2G spectrum case, the 2020 North-East Delhi riots, and communal clashes across Uttar Pradesh (Kasganj, Aligarh). Earlier Career: Before joining The Indian Express, she was a reporter for The Times of India. Personal Interests: Outside of her career in journalism, Sakshi is a National-level basketball player and coach, bringing a unique sporting discipline to her professional life. Major Recent Coverage (Late 2025) Her reporting in the latter half of 2025 has been dominated by a major terror investigation and administrative accountability: 1. The Red Fort Blast Investigation Throughout November and December 2025, Sakshi led the coverage of a car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort: Forensic Breakthroughs: She reported on the use of TATP and ammonium nitrate in the IED and identified the shops where raw materials were sourced (Nov 14-16, 2025). The "i20 Route": She meticulously tracked the journey of the vehicle used in the blast, tracing it to a Pulwama-based resident who entered Delhi via the Badarpur toll plaza (Nov 12, 2025). Victim Support: She recently reported on the Delhi Police providing a list of damaged vehicle owners to the Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims for those caught in the blast (Dec 4, 2025). 2. Crime & Police Accountability "Crackdown on Extortion Gangs": In December 2025, she reported on a syndicate that was blackmailing traffic cops. Following five arrests, the Special CP directed officers to report all such attempts (Dec 12, 2025). "Corruption in the Ranks": She covered the arrest of five Delhi Police personnel by the Vigilance branch following a wave of public complaints (May 19, 2025). Cold Cases & International Murders: She has extensively tracked the case of a man who allegedly killed his wife in London and fled to India, reporting on his "Proclaimed Offender" status and the denial of his anticipatory bail (May 2025). 3. Governance & Public Policy "13,000 Homes for 90,000 Cops": A data-driven feature on why the majority of Delhi Police personnel are forced to live on rent despite the city's housing projects (May 4, 2025). Traffic Decongestion: Using her interest in urban logistics, she detailed how the Traffic Police eased congestion on Vikas Marg by switching off signals and creating U-turns (April 2, 2025). Signature Style Sakshi Chand is known for a data-driven and investigative approach. She frequently uses forensic reports, CCTV analysis, and administrative data to go beyond the "official version" of a crime story. Her work in prison reporting is particularly noted for highlighting the legal and humanitarian conditions of foreign detention centers and local jails. ... Read More

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