# Delhi subsidized rice scam allegations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/delhi-subsidized-rice-scam-allegations
> Updated: 2026-09-01T14:09:27.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has alleged a planned ₹22,000 crore scam in Delhi involving the diversion of subsidized rice. The allegations suggest that an Assam-based corporation, in coordination with the Delhi government, sought 31,000 metric tons of rice per week from the Food Corporation of India for distribution to needy residents, but the rice was instead allegedly sold to a private company in Haryana at a profit. 

Bharadwaj estimated the scam would involve ₹143 crore per week over three years, claiming rice priced at ₹23 per kg was being sold to private firms for ₹46 per kg. Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has refuted these claims, issuing a 24-hour ultimatum for AAP leaders to withdraw the allegations and issue a public apology, warning of potential legal action.

New developments indicate the scale of the alleged diversion may be larger, with AAP raising allegations involving approximately 50,645 metric tonnes of rice. Saurabh Bharadwaj cited a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR filed on August 27, 2026, which includes charges of criminal conspiracy and fraud. The party claims rice intended for low-income groups, daily wage earners, and migrant workers was diverted to other locations.

AAP has specifically called for an impartial investigation into the alleged role of Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, claiming that administrative actions, such as the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs), were taken following ministerial directions. Bharadwaj noted that if the full quantity had reached its intended recipients, each eligible family could have received approximately 100 kg of rice, and has demanded transparency regarding the final recipients of the diverted food.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-01: Delhi rice scam: AAP alleges diversion of 50,000 tonnes of subsidized grain

The Aam Aadmi Party alleges a rice scam in Delhi involving 50,645 metric tonnes of subsidized grain diverted to Assam and Haryana, prompting a CBI investigation.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/delhi-rice-scam-aap-alleges-diversion-of-50645-metric-tonnes-of-food

### 2026-08-09: AAP alleges ₹22,000 crore subsidized rice scam in Delhi

AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has alleged a ₹22,000 crore rice scam in Delhi, claiming subsidized food meant for the poor was diverted to private companies in Haryana for profit.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saurabh-bharadwaj-alleges-22000-crore-rice-scam-in-delhi

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Cite as: Delhi subsidized rice scam allegations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/delhi-subsidized-rice-scam-allegations
