Delhi Classroom Scam Allegations: Atishi Slams BJP Over Manish Sisodia Summons

By Rastriya Samachar Staff | June 20, 2025

The political landscape in Delhi is heating up as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia faces summons from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in an alleged Delhi classroom scam. Delhi Assembly Leader of Opposition Atishi has fiercely criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), calling the case a politically motivated attack to tarnish AAP’s reputation. The controversy, centered around the construction of over 12,000 classrooms in Delhi government schools, has sparked a heated debate about governance, education reforms, and political vendettas.

What Is the Delhi Classroom Scam Case?

The Delhi classroom scam case revolves around allegations of financial irregularities in the construction of classrooms during the AAP-led government’s tenure. The ACB registered an FIR on April 30, 2025, claiming that the project, which cost approximately Rs 2,000 crore, involved inflated costs. According to the ACB, the cost per classroom was Rs 24.86 lakh, far exceeding the standard estimate of Rs 5 lakh. The complaint was initially filed in 2019 by BJP leaders Harish Khurana, Kapil Mishra, and Neelkanth Bakshi, prompting investigations by both the ACB and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Manish Sisodia, the former Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister, and Satyendar Jain, the former Public Works Department Minister, are under scrutiny. Sisodia appeared before the ACB on June 20, 2025, to face questioning, while Jain was summoned earlier on June 6. The ED also conducted raids at 37 locations across Delhi on June 18, targeting contractors and private entities linked to the project.

Atishi’s Fiery Defense Against Delhi Classroom Scam Allegations

Atishi, addressing a press conference at AAP headquarters on June 20, 2025, dismissed the Delhi classroom scam as a “fake” case orchestrated by the BJP. She accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies as tools to target AAP leaders. “In the last 10 years, the BJP has filed over 200 false cases against AAP members, but not a single rupee of corrupt money has been recovered,” Atishi stated. She highlighted the Supreme Court’s remarks labeling central agencies as “caged parrots,” suggesting a misuse of institutions for political gains.

Atishi emphasized the achievements of AAP’s education reforms, noting that 22,700 world-class classrooms were built in Delhi over the past decade. “You claim a Rs 2,000 crore scam, but where is the money? Does the BJP want us to stop building schools for poor children?” she questioned. She also criticized Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s governance, accusing the BJP of repainting AAP’s mohalla clinics and renaming them Ayushman Arogya Mandirs without delivering substantial improvements.

Manish Sisodia’s Stand on the Delhi Classroom Scam

Before appearing at the ACB office, Sisodia addressed the media, echoing Atishi’s sentiments. He labeled the Delhi classroom scam case as politically motivated and accused the BJP of misusing agencies to file baseless FIRs. “Excellent schools have been built across Delhi, and quality education is being imparted. The whole country knows this,” Sisodia said. He also referenced a defamation suit he filed against BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, who made allegations related to the case. Tiwari is currently out on bail, which Sisodia cited as evidence of the BJP’s weak claims.

Sisodia further criticized the BJP’s governance, pointing to issues like waterlogging, power cuts, and rising school fees in Delhi. “Instead of working, they’re playing the same FIR game over and over,” he remarked, suggesting that the BJP is using the Delhi classroom scam probe to divert attention from its administrative failures.

BJP’s Counterattack on the Delhi Classroom Scam

The BJP, however, remains steadfast in its accusations. Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma, in a statement on June 20, 2025, claimed that “Manish Sisodia committed theft” and predicted that the truth about the Delhi classroom scam would soon emerge. BJP leaders argue that the inflated costs and alleged irregularities in the classroom construction project point to systemic corruption under AAP’s rule. The party has consistently accused AAP of mismanagement, citing other cases like the alleged Delhi liquor scam, in which Sisodia was also implicated.

The ACB’s FIR and the ED’s raids lend weight to the BJP’s narrative, but the lack of concrete evidence, as highlighted by Atishi and Sisodia, keeps the controversy unresolved. The political slugfest has intensified, with both parties using the Delhi classroom scam to rally their supporters and sway public opinion.

Public Reaction to the Delhi Classroom Scam Controversy

The Delhi classroom scam has sparked varied reactions among Delhiites. Supporters of AAP view the case as a witch-hunt, praising the party’s efforts to revolutionize education in the capital. Social media platforms are abuzz with posts defending Sisodia’s tenure as Education Minister, with many users sharing images of modernized government schools. On the other hand, BJP supporters argue that the allegations warrant thorough investigation, accusing AAP of deflecting accountability.

The controversy has also raised broader questions about the state of education infrastructure in Delhi. While AAP’s classroom construction project is lauded for improving access to education, critics question whether the costs were justified. The ongoing probe will likely influence public perception of both parties’ commitment to transparency and governance.

What’s Next for the Delhi Classroom Scam Case?

As the ACB and ED continue their investigations, the Delhi classroom scam case is far from over. Sisodia’s appearance before the ACB on June 20, 2025, marks a significant development, but the absence of recovered funds or definitive proof keeps the allegations in limbo. The case’s outcome could have far-reaching implications for AAP’s credibility and BJP’s ability to capitalize on anti-corruption rhetoric.

For now, Atishi and Sisodia’s vocal defense has kept AAP’s base energized, while the BJP’s aggressive stance appeals to voters frustrated with alleged mismanagement. The Delhi classroom scam has become a battleground for political supremacy, with both sides digging in for a prolonged fight.

Conclusion: A Test of Trust in Delhi’s Politics

The Delhi classroom scam allegations have thrust Manish Sisodia and AAP into the spotlight, with Atishi leading a spirited counteroffensive against the BJP. As the investigation unfolds, the case will test the public’s trust in Delhi’s political leadership. Will the Delhi classroom scam prove to be a genuine expose of corruption, or will it be remembered as another chapter in the BJP-AAP rivalry? Only time will tell.