Amroha Court Directs Police to File FIR Against University Officials in Fake Degree Case
A judicial magistrate's court in Amroha has issued a directive to the police, ordering them to register a First Information Report (FIR) against five officials from a private university located near Gajraula in Rajabpur. The accused include the pro-chancellor and registrar, following serious allegations from students who claim they were issued fake degrees and charged substantial fees for unrecognized courses.
Students Allege Fraud and Intimidation by University Authorities
The court order came after Sudarshan Kumar, a 27-year-old resident of Peepli Daud village, along with several other students, approached the judicial body. They stated that they had completed a three-year BSc Optometry course from 2021 to 2024 and were awarded degrees in September 2024. However, when these students approached the UP Medical Faculty in Lucknow for registration, officials allegedly rejected their documents, declaring the course as unrecognized and the certificates as "fake."
Kumar revealed that each student was charged approximately Rs 30,000 in course and degree fees. He further alleged, "When we confronted the university authorities about the issue, they misbehaved with us and threatened to file false cases against us." Additionally, university representatives reportedly visited the homes of the students, applying pressure to withdraw their complaints, which added to the distress of the affected individuals.
Legal Intervention Follows Inaction by Local Authorities
The students also claimed that they had initially approached local police and senior officials, including the district magistrate and the Superintendent of Police (SP), but no action was taken. This lack of response from the authorities prompted them to seek legal intervention through the court. The judicial magistrate's order has now led to the registration of an FIR on Saturday under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The FIR has been filed under BNS sections 318 (4), which pertains to cheating, and 351, which addresses criminal intimidation. The named accused in the case are registrar Piyush Kumar Pandey, pro-chancellor Rajeev Tyagi, and staff members Anil Kumar, Maroof, and Faizaan. As of the time of filing this report, no official response has been received from the university regarding these allegations.
Broader Implications for Educational Fraud and Student Rights
This incident highlights significant concerns about educational fraud and the protection of student rights in private institutions. The case underscores the importance of regulatory oversight and legal recourse for students who fall victim to such practices. It also raises questions about the accountability of university officials and the effectiveness of local law enforcement in addressing such grievances.
The court's directive serves as a critical step towards justice for the affected students, potentially setting a precedent for similar cases in the future. As the investigation proceeds, further details may emerge regarding the extent of the alleged fraud and the actions taken by the university authorities.
