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.
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.
