The Madhya Pradesh High Court has declined to interfere with an FIR lodged against Aastha Education Society over alleged financial irregularities, observing that the audit reports revealed “serious discrepancies” involving funds amounting to ₹200 crore and warranted a thorough probe by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW).
The petition was filed by society office-bearers — Shweta Chouksey, Jai Narayan Chouksey, Dharmendra Gupta, and Anupam Chouksey — seeking quashing of an FIR registered by the EOW. The Aastha Education Society, which operates several educational institutions including a medical college and an affiliated hospital, is a private entity registered under the Madhya Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 1973. The petitioners claimed that the society does not receive any government funding.
They contended that the FIR was based on a complaint from Anil Sanghvi, a former member of the society, who had previously approached the EOW with similar allegations that were dismissed earlier. The petitioners argued that the present FIR was registered without issuing any prior notice or providing them an opportunity to respond, and expressed apprehension about their possible arrest.
Court’s Observations
Justice Vishal Mishra, in his order dated October 9, noted that the audit reports of the society — prepared by reputed auditors whose findings are accepted by the government — revealed substantial financial discrepancies.
“The audit report of the society indicates financial irregularities amounting to ₹200 crore, and no relief can be granted to the petitioners under these circumstances,” the court observed.
The judge further stated that the matter required “a detailed investigation” by the EOW and declined to quash the FIR at this stage.
During the hearing, the EOW produced the case diary and submitted that the investigation was still at a preliminary stage. The agency emphasized that given the magnitude of the alleged embezzlement, an in-depth probe was essential to ascertain the extent of the irregularities.
After considering the submissions from both sides, the court dismissed the petition, ruling that interference at this stage would not be appropriate. The order effectively allows the EOW to continue its investigation into the alleged ₹200-crore financial irregularities within the Aastha Education Society.
