Major Legal Relief for Desh Bhagat University Chancellor Dr. Zora Singh: CBI Files Closure Report in ₹18 Crore Bank Fraud Case
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In a significant development for the academic management of Punjab, Dr. Zora Singh—owner and chancellor of Desh Bhagat University located in Fatehgarh Sahib—along with his wife Tejinder Kaur and son Sandeep Singh, has secured major legal relief. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially filed a cancellation or closure report in the Chandigarh District Court regarding an alleged bank fraud case totaling approximately ₹18.53 crore.
Background of the Case and Canara Bank Allegations
The high-profile legal battle stems from an FIR registered by CBI Delhi in January 2026 against the trio and the Aasra Foundation, an educational trust operating various institutions in Chandigarh. The investigation was initiated following a formal complaint filed by Canara Bank.
According to the bank's original complaint, various credit facilities had been extended to the Aasra Foundation starting back in 2013. Canara Bank alleged that during the 2014-15 financial year, approximately ₹7 crore was diverted and utilized for purposes outside the sanctioned loan terms. Furthermore, the bank accused the foundation of artificially inflating its revenue figures to secure financial leverage, prompting charges involving criminal conspiracy, cheating, and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
CBI Finds Insufficient Evidence During Investigation
Despite the initial gravity of the allegations, the Central Bureau of Investigation's rigorous probe shifted the trajectory of the case. During the course of the investigation, CBI sleuths determined that there was insufficient concrete evidence to substantiate the charges or sustain a prosecution against Dr. Zora Singh and his family members.
Consequently, the investigating agency filed a closure report before the Chandigarh District Court. Legal experts note that while the CBI has recommended closing the matter due to a lack of evidence, the final judicial decision on the cancellation report now rests with the court.
High Court Relief and the Fraudulent Account Classification
The closure by the CBI follows a critical legal victory for the management in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Two years prior, Canara Bank had classified the Aasra Foundation's account as "fraudulent." However, upon legal challenge, the High Court observed a serious procedural lapse: the bank had failed to provide the accused parties with a complete copy of the forensic audit report that served as the foundational basis for the fraud classification.
Ruling in favor of transparency and due process, the High Court set aside Canara Bank's order declaring the Aasra Foundation account as fraudulent. This judicial setback for the lender significantly weakened the evidentiary foundation of the criminal complaint, ultimately paving the way for the CBI to drop the case due to a lack of provable culpability.
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