In a major crackdown on academic fraud, the Hapur district administration has formally recommended to the Uttar Pradesh government the revocation of recognition of Monad University, a private educational institution situated in the Pilkhuwa area of the district.
The recommendation follows a high-profile investigation conducted by the Special Task Force (STF) of the state police, which led to the arrest of top university officials and the discovery of a widespread racket involving the fabrication and sale of fake degrees and academic certificates.
Serious Allegations Against University Leadership
According to official reports, the STF on Sunday arrested ten individuals, including Monad University’s chairman Vijendra Singh Hooda, and Pro-Vice Chancellor Nitin Kumar Singh, along with several other university staff members. The arrests were made after intensive investigations and multiple raids.
Authorities claimed to have recovered a staggering cache of 1,372 counterfeit degree certificates and marksheets, along with 262 forged provisional and migration certificates from the premises. The entire group of accused individuals is currently in judicial custody.
Details of the Racket and Modus Operandi
The racket came to light after the STF apprehended a man named Sandeep, a resident of Haryana, who was reportedly involved in the illegal operation.
Following his arrest, Sandeep confessed to printing and distributing fake educational documents for a wide range of university programs under direct instructions from the university chairman.
The courses in question include Bachelor of Science (B.Sc), Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed), Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech), and Pharmacy programs.
According to preliminary police findings, the accused charged between ₹50,000 to ₹4 lakh per fake degree, depending on the course and the type of certificate being issued.
Investigators believe the scam had been operating for at least two to three years, and there are indications that many more individuals may be involved. The STF is continuing its inquiry to identify all those complicit in the scheme.
University’s Background and Status
Established under Act No. 23 of 2010 by the Government of Uttar Pradesh and officially published in the State Gazette on October 12, 2010, Monad University was granted authorization to operate via a letter issued on January 11, 2011.
The institution, which currently claims to have around 4,500 students enrolled, offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in diverse disciplines such as engineering, pharmacy, law, and business administration, as per information on its official website.
District Magistrate Recommends Cancellation of Recognition
In light of the alarming revelations, Hapur District Magistrate Abhishek Pandey has written to the Principal Secretary of the Higher Education Department, detailing the findings of the police investigation and requesting that the university’s recognition be formally withdrawn.
The letter emphasized the gravity of the misconduct and the threat it poses to the integrity of higher education in the state.
Clarification for Students and Assurance of Degree Validity
As news of the arrests and the possible derecognition of the university spread, confusion and anxiety surged among students and university employees. In response, a senior official from the district administration issued a public statement seeking to allay fears.
The official clarified that students who have already been issued degrees and certificates will not be affected, and those documents will continue to be considered valid unless proven otherwise.
Furthermore, authorities assured that in the event of the university’s derecognition, students currently enrolled in various academic programs will be accommodated and transferred to other recognized institutions, wherever feasible, to ensure the continuity of their education.
University Campus Closed Temporarily
Following the STF operation, the university administration declared a temporary shutdown of the campus until Wednesday, citing security and administrative concerns. The campus is expected to resume operations on Thursday, although uncertainty remains about the future of the institution.
A Growing Concern Over Fake Degrees in Higher Education
This incident has sparked widespread concerns about the growing prevalence of academic fraud in private universities. Law enforcement officials stressed that the case is not an isolated one and may be indicative of larger systemic loopholes in the monitoring and regulation of private educational institutions.
An STF spokesperson confirmed that investigations are ongoing and further arrests are likely as more layers of the racket are uncovered. The state government is also expected to review compliance procedures and accreditation processes for private universities to prevent such malpractices in the future.
