GUWAHATI
The National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Arunachal Pradesh’s Jote has claimed miscreants used an app to accuse it of admitting students with fake degrees.
The institute’s authorities indicated that the “miscreants” created “fake certificates” digitally through this app to float a story that the NIT accepted these fabricated documents to admit some students and appoint a few members of the faculty and other staff.
A few publications reported on such admissions. The Hindu published a report on August 8 based on a probe ordered by Taru Gusar, the Superintendent of Police of the Papum Pare district, on July 4 assigning the investigation to Sub-Divisional Police Officer Radhe Obing.
The order followed a complaint filed by Itanagar-based Biri Gatu on June 23. The order said that the complaint was “against various officers of NIT, Jote regarding a racket to admit students with fake degree mark sheets and to unlawfully recruit people with ineligible education degree”. The investigation officer was given 10 days to submit the report.
“It seems that some miscreants used this app to create this news. This is a serious concern for the NIT, which is an institute of national importance under the Ministry of Education,” NIT director Mohan Aware said.
Payi Gyadi, an anti-graft and Right to Information activist following up on the case, asserted the complainant did not falsely accuse the institute of accepting fake certificates by first fabricating the documents with malicious intent.
“What the NIT is saying is not true. The case was registered after a preliminary inquiry,” he said.
Mr. Obing said the complaint against the NIT filed by Mr. Biri in “written” was registered at the Balijan police station, about 46 km south of the NIT, on August 13.
“I cannot disclose anything as the case is still under investigation. A conclusion can be drawn after the probe is completed,” he told The Hindu on Thursday (September 5, 2024).
He also said the NIT has not filed any counter-complaint against the complainant or his associates yet.
A response from the NIT on any action taken against those accused of maligning the institute is awaited.
(This article has been updated with NIT’s response.)
Published - August 08, 2024 04:30 am IST
