The Delhi High Court on Wednesday called upon the Centre to take stringent action against the proliferation of fake higher education institutions across the country. A bench comprising Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia highlighted the severity of the issue, noting that students from small towns are particularly vulnerable to such fraudulent institutions. These students invest significant time and money, only to obtain degrees that hold no value in the job market.
Court's Observations and Directives
The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Shashank Deo Sudhi, seeking measures to curb the operation of fake universities. The bench directed the central government, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to file an affidavit outlining the steps taken to address the problem. Additionally, the court urged the Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG) to bring the matter to the attention of education department authorities and ensure necessary action is taken.
"We also call upon the learned Additional Solicitor General of India (ASG) for respondent no. 1 (Union of India) to draw the attention of the authorities in the education department to the issues raised in the petition and impress upon them to take necessary action," the court stated. It further emphasized that students pursuing courses at such institutions ultimately waste their time, energy, and resources, as the qualifications obtained do not make them employable.
Delhi Government's Role
The court also sought a response from the Delhi government regarding the actions taken by its committee, which was formed to investigate the operation of fake universities in the capital. The bench ordered: "The said affidavit shall state if any information has been gathered by said committee and what action has been taken for checking the running of such fake higher education institutions." The matter has been listed for the next hearing in August.
During the proceedings, ASG Chetan Sharma described the situation as "shocking," noting that fake universities offer courses in vocational fields, law, and even medicine. However, the court retorted, "This is not shocking. This information is available to everyone."
PIL's Demands
In his PIL, Sudhi sought directions to curb the proliferation of fake universities and unrecognized institutions operating in Delhi and other parts of the country. The petitioner argued that the continued operation of such institutions constitutes a fraud on the public and violates the fundamental rights to education and livelihood of thousands of students. The PIL also demanded criminal prosecution of institutions identified as "fake universities" and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into those responsible for their creation.
