In a significant crackdown on a nationwide educational fraud, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police has arrested the director of a Chennai-based vocational training institute. The institute is accused of selling backdated diplomas and certificates to candidates aspiring to appear for the 2025 Indian Navy recruitment examination for fire technician and storekeeping posts.
Key Arrest and Nationwide Network Uncovered
The SOG, led by Additional Director General Vishal Bansal, apprehended the accused identified as SAG Moeson, also known as Arul Gnana Moeson. Arrest warrants have also been issued against the institute's chairman, B S Balachandran, who is expected to be taken into custody shortly.
Deputy Inspector General Paris Deshmukh revealed to the media that the accused operated an institute named Bharat Sevak Samaj (BSS) from Chennai. The institute's website falsely claimed it was established in 1952 by the Planning Commission and offered courses in media, fashion, solar technology, X-ray technician, fire and safety, and purchasing and storekeeping.
Modus Operandi of the Diploma Scam
The scam came to light during an SOG probe into cases involving forged marksheets and fire technician diplomas in state-level exams. Investigators discovered that fake certificates were being supplied to candidates to help them meet eligibility criteria for the Indian Navy's recruitment drive.
"During the investigation, we found that BSS, in collusion with AS Fire and Safety Management Institute based in Karauli, Rajasthan, issued backdated diplomas and marksheets for the 2023–24 academic session," stated DIG Deshmukh. He emphasized that no actual training was provided, and the operation was run solely for financial gain.
Candidates reportedly received counterfeit marksheets and certificates within just three days of submitting their Class 12 marksheets and Aadhaar cards, with the documents falsely dated July 2025.
Lack of Authorization and Infrastructure
Investigators confirmed that BSS had illegally promoted itself as being authorized by the Planning Commission to conduct skill development courses. In reality, no such authorization was ever granted, rendering the institute without any legal authority to conduct courses, provide training, or issue diplomas and certificates.
SOG officers described BSS as operating from a basic office setup, completely lacking any legitimate training infrastructure like classrooms or labs. Despite this, it managed to issue thousands of fraudulent diplomas by partnering with colleges and skill development institutions across India.
Explaining the elaborate scheme, Deshmukh said BSS representatives would approach college administrations, offering affiliation for a fee ranging between Rs 70,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Shockingly, more than 10,000 colleges and vocational training institutes across the country had tied up with BSS. It remains under investigation whether these partner institutions were defrauded or were willing participants in the scam.
The colleges, in turn, would charge candidates Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 for the diploma courses. Out of this, a commission of approximately Rs 2,000 per candidate was passed on to BSS. Investigators estimate that this scheme generated illegal income running into crores of rupees for the accused.
The SOG's arrest marks a crucial step in dismantling a racket that preyed on the aspirations of youth seeking government jobs, compromising the integrity of recruitment processes for prestigious institutions like the Indian Navy.
