Overview
- Wednesday's coordinated CBI searches covered 14 locations in Lucknow, Ayodhya, Kushinagar, Pratapgarh and Amethi as part of the agency's active probe.
- The central agency took over the case and registered it on June 8, 2026 under Section 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after a High Court direction.
- The matter began with an FIR filed on March 21, 2025 by the finance and accounts officer of the Basic Education Department, Gauriganj, that alleged irregular payments.
- Investigators have named five accused, including a then junior accounts clerk, and during the raids seized documentary records, digital devices and other items to map the money trail.
- CBI officials say the funds were intended to clear arrears owed to teachers and other beneficiaries, and the agency is conducting forensic examination to enable recovery; no public arrests have been reported yet.