mbu-fake-degree-case-triggers-fresh-political-war-in-himachal

An old probe into the alleged fake degree scam linked to Himachal Pradesh's Manav Bharti University (MBU) has sparked a fresh political controversy. The BJP has accused Acting Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Tiwari of delaying criminal action when he was serving as Additional Director General of Police in the Crime Branch-CID.

 

The Himachal Pradesh Police has denied the allegations through an official statement. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also rejected the BJP's claims, calling them "false propaganda" and accusing the opposition of politicising the issue.

 

The matter resurfaced after former minister and BJP leader Bikram Thakur questioned the role of the then ADGP (CID). He alleged that although the case had reached the Crime Branch much earlier, criminal cases were registered only in March 2020.

 

Adding to the debate, former DGP SR Mardi also raised questions about the handling of the investigation. He claimed that the CID failed to follow directions issued by the then police chief.

 

Mardi alleged that the CID did not register an FIR for more than two years despite instructions from senior officers. He also claimed that no report was prepared to fix responsibility for the delay. He further said that once he became aware of the matter, he immediately ordered that criminal proceedings be initiated.

According to Mardi, an investigation was ordered in 2017, but an FIR was necessary for legal action to proceed. He said he directed officials in Solan to register a case and seize all relevant records without delay.

 

Mardi also said the 2017 complaint involved 103 candidates, which led to the registration of another FIR. He maintained that there was no attempt to hide information and that all records were transferred to the Solan police as directed.

 

The former police chief added that several raids were later conducted, including one in Mount Abu, to recover documents and computer equipment linked to the alleged fake degree racket.

 

Acting DGP Ashok Tiwari did not respond to requests for comment. However, the Himachal Pradesh Police later issued a detailed clarification rejecting the allegations.

 

The police stated that official records show the Crime Branch CID completed its preliminary inquiry within a week and recommended registration of an FIR without delay.

 

According to the department, documentary evidence does not support claims that the CID slowed down the investigation or failed to act on time. The police maintained that the Crime Branch completed its assigned task quickly and forwarded its recommendations for criminal action.

The clarification also raised questions about what happened after the inquiry. It asked why the CID's recommendations were allegedly not implemented, why Solan Police eventually registered the FIR, and why authorities relied on an earlier reference instead of the CID's fresh findings.

 

The police said the Crime Branch CID transferred all records to the Superintendent of Police, Solan, in line with instructions issued by the then DGP. The department asserted that the CID neither delayed the inquiry nor withheld any information. It said official records support its position.

Police officials further stated that issues of public importance should be judged on documentary evidence rather than selective accounts or incomplete narratives. The Congress government also hit back at the BJP, accusing it of trying to create a political controversy around an old case.

Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani questioned why BJP leaders had not brought the matter to public attention earlier if they already knew about the alleged scam.

 

Dharmani said that if the BJP had information about such a serious issue involving fake degrees, it should have disclosed it immediately. He also accused the BJP of making sensational claims without providing evidence.

Speaking in Chamba, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said all investigations under his government were being conducted according to the law. He accused the BJP of misleading the public.

 

Referring to the Manav Bharti University case, Sukhu reiterated that legal procedures were being followed and described the BJP's allegations as baseless. The Chief Minister said the government was acting strictly within the law and accused the BJP of spreading misinformation.

 

Sukhu further alleged that the previous BJP government had misused state resources and said all matters related to the previous regime would be investigated fairly.

 

He warned that anyone responsible for losses to the state treasury or found with disproportionate assets would face legal action.

 

The Chief Minister also challenged BJP leaders to focus on securing greater financial support for Himachal Pradesh from the Centre instead of making political accusations.

 

The Manav Bharti University fake degree case first came to light in 2017. In March 2020, three FIRs were registered at Dharampur Police Station in Solan after investigators allegedly uncovered a large-scale fake degree network.

 

Investigators accused university officials and others of issuing degrees without proper evaluation, running unauthorised study centres in several states, creating fake academic records and conducting illegal off-campus programmes.

 

A major breakthrough came during a raid on March 7, 2020, when a police team searched the university's central store room and seized answer sheets, examination records and official documents.

 

Investigators alleged that several students received degrees even though their answer sheets had never been evaluated.

 

According to the FIR, one BCA student was awarded a degree and provisional certificates despite all 15 recovered answer sheets remaining unchecked.

 

Police also alleged that another student received a provisional certificate even though four answer sheets had not been evaluated. Investigators further claimed that marks on some answer books had been altered on cover pages without matching changes inside the scripts.

 

The first FIR was based on a complaint by a woman from Haryana. She alleged that she enrolled through an unauthorised study centre in Karnal after paying Rs 50,000.

 

She claimed classes and examinations were conducted at the off-campus centre and that students were told the Solan campus was still under construction. She further alleged that degree certificates and verification letters later helped her secure government employment.

 

The third FIR was registered after the Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission complained that the university had denied issuing 103 degrees and diplomas submitted for verification.

 

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) continues to examine thousands of records, computer systems, financial transactions and examination documents to uncover the full extent of the alleged fake degree network and identify those involved.

 

With the BJP questioning the role of the current Acting DGP, the police defending the CID's actions and the Congress accusing the opposition of twisting facts, the Manav Bharti University case has once again become a major political issue in Himachal Pradesh.