Rajasthan Police SOG Investigates MP Universities Over Alleged Forged Degree Scandal
In a significant development, the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police has launched a comprehensive investigation into two private universities based in Madhya Pradesh. The probe centers on allegations that these institutions issued forged Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) degrees to candidates who secured positions in Rajasthan's physical teacher-instructor (PTI) recruitment process for 2022.
FIRs Registered and Scope Expanded
The SOG registered separate First Information Reports (FIRs) on January 22 after uncovering evidence that two candidates not only cleared the examination through fraudulent means but also obtained government jobs by submitting allegedly fabricated marksheets. A senior official confirmed that the investigation has now been expanded to include the universities themselves, identified as Rabindranath Tagore University and Shri Sathya Sai University of Technology and Medical Sciences.
The PTI Direct Recruitment Examination, 2022, was conducted by the Rajasthan Staff Selection Board. During routine scrutiny of the selection process, investigators identified several candidates who may have secured appointments through deceptive practices, prompting this deeper inquiry.
Evidence of Examination Fraud and Document Discrepancies
Examination records obtained from the board revealed critical mismatches between signatures on application forms and those on examination documents. This discrepancy strongly indicates that dummy candidates sat for the exams in place of the actual applicants. Further inconsistencies emerged during document verification procedures.
While both candidates initially mentioned one educational institution in their applications, they later submitted BPEd degree marksheets from entirely different institutes. The SOG suspects these marksheets are forged and contain backdated entries, suggesting a coordinated effort to bypass verification protocols.
Alleged Collusion Between Candidates and Universities
An SOG official stated, "The two candidates are suspected to have colluded with the two MP universities and obtained forged marksheets to secure government jobs." The official confirmed that separate FIRs have been registered against both individuals and explicitly name the two universities involved in the alleged scheme.
This case highlights growing concerns about academic fraud in competitive recruitment processes and underscores the need for stricter verification mechanisms across state borders. The investigation continues as authorities examine the extent of this alleged conspiracy and whether other candidates or institutions might be involved.
