Indian Express: Fake degree racket stuns the Valley

4/15/2008 7:36:20 PM

Source: Indian Express Online Edition, 29/June/2006

Srinagar, June 28: THE J-K Police has unearthed a major network running a parallel Board of School Education in the valley. Police has seized thousands of fake diploma and degree certificates of State Board of School Education and University of Kashmir from them.

‘‘This is a very, very big racket,’’ Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, South Kashmir, Hemant Kumar Lohia told The Indian Express. ‘‘We have seized a computer and are scrutinizing its records. We are thoroughly and professionally investigating the case.’’

The parallel Board was exposed when a student sought admission in Class XI at Pulwama Higher Secondary School. As he submitted his certificate, the school authorities got skeptical about its authenticity and handed over the certificate to the police.

The Pulwama police followed the lead and unearthed a major network of racketeers who were issuing certificates on demand in lieu of a huge sum. The police have arrested five persons in this connection. However, the kingpin of the racket is absconding.