Free Textbooks for UP Students Found at Scrap Yard, Probe On

Bahraich,UP/ New Delhi: A truck loaded with thousands of free textbooks intended for government school children was discovered parked at or near a scrap dealer’s (kabadi) shop in Bahraich district. The books, printed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme for the 2026-27 academic session, were apparently being diverted for sale as scrap or illegal purposes, sparking widespread outrage on social media and among locals.

The discovery came to light on February 17, 2026, when videos and photos of the loaded truck went viral on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). 

The footage showed bundles of new textbooks covering subjects such as Hindi, Mathematics, Science, and others, stacked in a truck (bearing registration number UP21FT 8485) near a junk shop in areas including Ramgaon police station limits, Metkaha Mod, or Nanpara region. 

Reports indicate the books were being transported toward Kashipur or similar destinations, allegedly to be sold as waste paper.

Acting swiftly on a tip-off received via his official number, District Magistrate Akshay Tripathi ordered immediate intervention. The truck was seized by local police and administration teams, with the books recovered and confiscated. 

Authorities are now scrutinizing procurement records, distribution lists, warehouse logs, and SSA dispatch details to trace the origin and identify any lapses or collusion in the chain.

This is not an isolated case in Uttar Pradesh. Similar incidents of free textbooks being sold to scrap dealers have surfaced in the past, including a notable 2023 case in Lakhimpur Kheri’s Pallia town, where social media videos prompted probes and action against officials.

Social media users and netizens have expressed strong anger, with many calling it a betrayal of poor children’s right to education. 

As of February 19, 2026, no arrests have been reported, but the probe continues with police and administrative involvement. Officials have assured a thorough inquiry, with potential action against those found guilty. 

The recovered books are expected to be redirected for their intended purpose in government schools. This incident underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring accountability in public welfare programs, particularly those aimed at bridging educational gaps for marginalized communities in rural Uttar Pradesh.