https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

From IAS to Accused: The Rise and Fall of IAS Sewali Devi Sharma in Rs105 Crore Scam – Know More About Her

Retired IAS Sewali Devi Sharma Arrested in ₹105 Cr Fraud: ED Raids 8 Locations
Indian Masterminds Stories

Guwahati/Ajmer: Once an inspiration for UPSC aspirants, retired IAS officer Sewali Devi Sharma of the 1992 Assam cadre has now found herself at the center of a multi-crore scam, following her arrest and recent ED raids in connection with a ₹105 crore embezzlement case. A career that began with BA and LLB degrees and culminated in high-ranking administrative roles has now ended in controversy, arrest, and disgrace.

Who is IAS Sewali Devi Sharma?

Ms Sharma joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) through the State Civil Services (SCS) route. With a strong academic background, holding both a B.A. and an LL.B., she was promoted to the IAS and allotted the 1992 batch. Over her long career, she held key positions, including Executive Chairman of the Agriculture Department and Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).

It was during her tenure as Director of SCERT, specifically overseeing the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Cell, that the alleged financial misconduct began.

read also: Assam: ED Raids Former IAS Sewali Devi Sharma’s Premises in Disproportionate Assets Case

The ₹105 Crore ODL Scam: What the ED Found

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing the financial irregularities, carried out raids at eight locations linked to Sharma and her close associates. The agency revealed that Ms Sharma, while managing the ODL cell, grossly misused her authority.

The ODL cell was meant to oversee a 2-year Elementary Education Diploma program approved by the National Council for Teacher Education.

The Assam government had sanctioned 59 institutes to train 27,897 government teachers.

However, Sewali illegally opened 347 study centers, enrolling over 1.06 lakh trainees—nearly four times the approved number.

Over ₹115 crore in training fees were collected, out of which ₹105 crore was spent without following proper financial protocols.

Violation of Financial Norms and Self-Signed Accounts

A major red flag was that Sharma allegedly opened five separate bank accounts for the ODL Cell, with herself as the sole signing authority—a direct violation of the Assam Financial Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005.

Instead of depositing the funds into the state treasury, the money was funneled through these accounts. The ED alleges that contracts and procurement were done without tenders, verification, or receipts, with the funds used arbitrarily for purchases and services.

Favors to Family: Contracts Given to Daughter and Son-in-law

A key revelation in the case is the awarding of contracts to companies linked to Sewali’s daughter, son-in-law Ajitpal Singh, and other close relatives. These companies had no prior experience, and some received payments without work orders or documentation.

This directly violated the Assam Procurement Preference Policy, 2015, which mandates tenders for purchases above ₹5 lakh.

Previous Arrest and Legal Status

In May 2023, the Chief Minister’s Special Vigilance Cell filed a charge sheet against Sharma and others. Investigators uncovered assets worth ₹5.7 crore allegedly acquired through misuse of funds.

Following her suspension, she went into hiding. On May 9, 2023, she was arrested from a hotel in Ajmer, Rajasthan, along with her son-in-law and three associates, during a police raid.

read also: UP Police Reshuffle: Young IPS Abhishek Dawachya Takes Charge as CO Karnailganj in Gonda; 3 COs Transferred

A Fall from Grace

IAS Sharma, once a symbol of dedication and success in public service, has now become a cautionary tale. Her journey from being a State Civil Services officer to a prominent IAS, and now to an accused in one of Assam’s biggest education-related financial scams, has stunned many.

Where once she inspired thousands of youth preparing for UPSC, today, her story is being discussed for all the wrong reasons.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
CMPDI_signs_MoU
CMPDI Partners with Manmukh Education Consultancy to Train 60 Underprivileged Youth as Phlebotomy Technicians in Ranchi
Abhishek Singh IAS
Proud Moment for Indian Bureaucracy: IAS Abhishek Singh Named to TIME100 AI 2025 for Leading India AI Mission
Two crossed national flags on wooden table
50% US Tariffs Impact: Govt Unveils Rs 25,000 Crore Export Support Mission, Assures Strong Backing for Exporters
IRS Officers ndian revenue Services
High Court Rejects Request of Retired IRS Officer for Additional Commissioner Pay While Serving as DR at ITAT
Madhya-Pradesh-State-IAS
Madhya Pradesh IAS Officers Must Submit Property Details by January 31 or Face Promotion Delays
IAS Anurag jain
Confirmed: Anurag Jain Gets One-Year Extension as Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary, Ending Successor Speculation
IFS Dinesh K Patnaik
From Freeze to Thaw: Who Is IFS Dinesh K Patnaik, India’s New High Commissioner to Canada?
Bihar Government-resized-IM
Bihar Govt Approves Rs. 66.91 Crore Land Acquisition for Industrial Growth in Purnia; Major Industries to Come Up in Kenagar Block
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
CMPDI_signs_MoU
CMPDI Partners with Manmukh Education Consultancy to Train 60 Underprivileged Youth as Phlebotomy Technicians in Ranchi
Abhishek Singh IAS
Proud Moment for Indian Bureaucracy: IAS Abhishek Singh Named to TIME100 AI 2025 for Leading India AI Mission
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT