Engineering minority quota admission fraud sparks probe

Nagpur: Allegations of forged documents being used to secure admissions under minority quota in engineering colleges have triggered scrutiny from regulatory authorities, with Maharashtra State Minorities Commission ordering an inquiry and National Students' Union of India (NSUI) demanding stringent action against those responsible.The issue came to light after Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) reportedly issued notices to students admitted through the minority quota in select engineering colleges, citing suspected use of fake documents during admissions. Students from institutions such as GH Raisoni Institute of Engineering and Technology (Wadi), GH Raisoni College of Engineering (Hingna), Priyadarshini College of Engineering (Hingna), Priyadarshini Bhagwati College of Engineering (Nandanvan), and JD College of Engineering (Kalmeshwar Road) are believed to be among those under scrutiny.As part of the probe, Admission Regulating Authority (ARA) has summoned the concerned students for questioning. Taking note of the seriousness of the allegations, Maharashtra State Minorities Commission has sought detailed reports from both the DTE and ARA to assess the extent of misuse of the minority quota.Commission chairman Pyare Khan said the allegations are extremely serious as they directly affect the rights of genuine minority students. He stated that admissions obtained through forged documents not only violate admission rules but also deprive deserving students of educational opportunities reserved for them."Complaints regarding admissions secured in engineering colleges under the minority quota through forged documents are extremely serious. This is not merely a violation of rules, but a direct infringement on the rights of genuine minority students. Maharashtra State Minorities Commission has taken cognisance of the matter and sought detailed reports from the DTE and ARA. If any individual, middleman, institution or official is found guilty during the inquiry, strict action will be recommended against them ," Khan said.The commission has also clarified that once the reports are received, a comprehensive examination of the issue will be undertaken and appropriate recommendations made to prevent recurrence of such malpractices.Meanwhile, Nagpur district unit of NSUI also stepped up pressure on authorities, demanding a fair, transparent and time-bound investigation. The student organisation alleged that agents, middlemen and college representatives may have facilitated admissions by helping students obtain documents in violation of prescribed norms, allegedly in exchange for financial benefits.An NSUI delegation met DTE joint director Manoj Daigavane and assistant director Sachin Solanki at the govt polytechnic campus in Sadar and submitted a memorandum seeking strict action against all those found involved in the alleged fraud.NSUI stated that if the inquiry confirms involvement of agents, brokers, institutional staff or any other intermediaries in preparing forged documents or manipulating admissions, police complaints should be registered immediately and criminal proceedings initiated.The organisation also urged authorities to ensure that innocent students do not suffer academic losses while investigations are underway and that every student is given an opportunity to present their case.quoteAdmissions obtained through forged documents not only violate admission rules but also deprive deserving students of educational opportunities reserved for themPyare Khan | Chairman, Maharashtra State Minorities Commission