A 39-year-old man from Gujarat, alleged to be the mastermind behind a widespread fake educational certificate racket, was arrested at Mumbai's international airport on Sunday after arriving from Bangkok. The accused, identified as Prathamesh Shirishbhai Maniyar, a resident of Jamnagar, was intercepted by immigration officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
The Airport Interception and Arrest
According to officials, Maniyar was stopped during routine immigration clearance upon his arrival from Bangkok on January 5, 2026. When questioned about his profession, his responses were deemed unsatisfactory, prompting a more detailed inquiry. Immigration officials subsequently discovered his alleged involvement in a criminal network and handed him over to the Sahar police.
The police formally arrested Maniyar under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for charges including cheating, forgery, and other related offences. An FIR has been registered detailing the case against him.
Details of the Decade-Long Forgery Racket
Police investigations revealed that Maniyar is suspected to have been operating the racket for approximately 10 years. His operation allegedly targeted students across India, particularly those aspiring to pursue higher education in countries like Canada and the United States.
He is accused of promising college admissions abroad but instead supplying forged educational documents. The scam involved:
- Providing fake marksheets, provisional certificates, and degrees.
- Charging aspirants between Rs 50,000 and Rs 2 lakh for the bogus documents.
- Operating through a network of agents in cities including Jaipur, Bhopal, and Ambala.
During the examination of his mobile phones, investigators reportedly found multiple forged documents stored in the gallery. These included certificates purportedly issued by the Gujarat board and universities such as:
- Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University
- ISBM University
- Mansarovar Global University
- Arni University
- Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut
Ongoing Investigation and Implications
The FIR states that the fake documents were prepared in the names of actual students, who were likely unaware of the forgery or were complicit in the fraud. Police are now working to uncover the full extent of the network, identify the agents involved, and trace the students who may have used these counterfeit certificates to gain admissions or employment.
This arrest highlights the persistent issue of educational document fraud in India, which undermines the credibility of genuine students and academic institutions. Authorities have warned students and their families to verify the credentials of educational consultants and to cross-check all admission offers directly with the concerned universities.
The case under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita also signals a stricter legal approach towards such organised frauds that exploit the aspirations of youth seeking opportunities abroad.
