The Delhi High Court has directed the Central government to take stringent action against the growing number of fake higher education institutions, emphasizing that such entities harm the prospects of genuine students. The court made the observation while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought affidavits from the central government, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) regarding steps taken to curb the proliferation of such institutions.
Court's Observations and Directions
A division bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia stated, "Such a request is made by the court for the reason that students attracted to such institutions, if they pursue their courses, would ultimately suffer a waste of time, energy and resources, as they would end up obtaining degrees and qualifications that would not make them employable." The court also urged the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) to draw the attention of the authorities to impress upon them to take necessary action.
PIL Demands and Further Action
The PIL also sought criminal prosecution of all institutions identified as "fake universities" and a CBI probe into those involved in their creation. The court has asked the Centre to file a status report on the actions taken so far. The bench stressed the need for a coordinated effort among regulatory bodies to identify and shut down such fraudulent institutions.
This directive comes as a significant step to protect students from falling prey to unaccredited institutions that offer degrees with no legal validity. The court's intervention aims to ensure that students receive quality education and that their time and financial resources are not wasted on degrees that hold no value in the job market.
