Hapur, Uttar Pradesh, July 29, 2025 – A dramatic showdown unfolded in Hapur as District Magistrate Abhishek Pandey took Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) Ritu Tomar to task over allegations of corruption in the education department. The confrontation, which has sent ripples through the district, came to light during a heated meeting with teachers’ union leaders, where educators presented startling evidence of misconduct. Here’s the latest on this unfolding scandal.
The issue erupted when teachers, frustrated by ongoing issues in the Basic Education Department, met with DM Pandey on July 28, 2025. During the meeting, attended by BSA Ritu Tomar, union representatives laid out a string of complaints, backed by documents and testimonies, pointing to irregularities in school operations. Sources say the evidence included records of bribe-taking for school recognition renewals and favoritism in teacher postings, painting a grim picture of systemic corruption under Tomar’s watch.
Pandey, known for his no-nonsense approach, didn’t hold back. He publicly reprimanded Tomar, demanding explanations for the alleged mismanagement. “This is unacceptable. The education of our children is at stake, and we cannot tolerate such lapses,” Pandey reportedly said, according to attendees. The meeting, held at the district headquarters, lasted over two hours, with teachers detailing how funds meant for school improvements were misused and how unqualified staff were allegedly favored.
This isn’t the first time Hapur’s education department has faced scrutiny. Earlier this year, on May 2, 2025, Pandey raided the BSA office, leading to the immediate dismissal of three employees caught taking bribes for school recognition renewals. That incident, widely reported by different local outlets, exposed deep-rooted corruption, with one junior assistant and a contract worker arrested for demanding 70,000 rupees in bribes. The latest allegations suggest the problems persist despite previous crackdowns.
Teachers’ union leaders, speaking anonymously, said the evidence they shared included WhatsApp chats and payment receipts implicating officials in shady deals. “We’ve been raising these issues for months, but nothing was done until the DM stepped in,” one teacher said. The revelations have sparked outrage among parents and educators, who are now demanding a full investigation into the BSA’s office.
Pandey has ordered a probe into the allegations, vowing strict action against those found guilty. “We’re digging deep to uncover the truth and ensure accountability,” he told local media. The Uttar Pradesh Education Department has also been informed, and sources say higher authorities may step in if the findings confirm widespread corruption.
The Hapur case echoes broader concerns across Uttar Pradesh, where education officials have faced criticism for misconduct. In 2019, a BSA in Muzaffarnagar was suspended for controversial social media posts, and similar issues have plagued other districts. For now, Hapur’s residents are watching closely, hoping the DM’s intervention will bring change to a system meant to serve their children.
