370 students, fake domicile certificates: NEET admissions under scanner in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand's NEET UG admission process has come under the scanner following allegations that students used fake permanent residence and category certificates to secure MBBS seats. A total of 370 students had allegedly benefited from suspicious certificates. The case has now widened to include allegations involving fake “freedom fighter” certificates.

The issue came to light after Dehradun resident Pradeep Bahuguna, son of environmentalist and Padma Shri awardee Sunderlal Bahuguna, submitted a list of alleged irregularities to the Health Minister. The disclosure has raised questions over the medical admission process and the issuance and verification of permanent residence and category certificates.

Following the complaint, the Health Minister directed the District Magistrate to complete the investigation within a week. However, the District Magistrate has not yet made any public statement on the matter.

Meanwhile, an SIT led by an SSP-rank officer has been constituted to investigate the allegations. The SIT has arrested three members of a gang allegedly involved in preparing fake freedom fighter certificates.

Large-scale irregularities involving allegedly fake certificates have also come to light in Udham Singh Nagar.COMPLAINTS OVER SIT FOCUS ON FREEDOM FIGHTER CERTIFICATES

Bahuguna has alleged that the SIT's investigation is currently focused primarily on cases involving fake "freedom fighter dependent" certificates. He has argued that the probe should also cover allegations of candidates from other states obtaining benefits under different categories by using allegedly fake permanent residence certificates.

The allegations suggest that candidates from outside Uttarakhand may have secured seats reserved for state residents by obtaining fake permanent residence certificates.

There are also allegations that members of the same family were issued certificates under different categories to secure admission benefits. These claims have raised questions about the role of the concerned university authorities and the Controller of Examinations.

Bahuguna is the son of noted environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna, who was associated with the Chipko movement alongside Gaura Devi.36 LAST MINUTE CERTIFICATES UNDER SCRUTINY

As part of the investigation, 36 suspicious certificates allegedly issued at the last minute by the SDM (Sadar) are also under scrutiny.

According to the allegations, two separate certificates were issued in several cases, one relating to permanent residence and another under a specific sub-category. However, in many instances, the reference number of only one of the two certificates was recorded.

Bahuguna has therefore suggested that the actual number of cases could be higher than 36 and may exceed 50.

To establish the exact number, the certificate serial numbers, dates of issuance and names of applicants need to be cross-checked with official government records.CANCELLED CERTIFICATES ALSO NEED TO BE EXAMINED

According to Bahuguna, several permanent residence and freedom fighter certificates issued by the SDM (Sadar) in Dehradun have subsequently been cancelled.

He has also called for records relating to certificates issued to dependents of freedom fighters to be examined as part of the investigation.

Complainants have argued that the probe should not be restricted to the students who allegedly benefited from the certificates. The entire process, from the initial application and verification to the issuance of the certificate and its subsequent use during medical college admissions, needs to be examined.DEMAND TO EXPAND SCOPE OF SIT

Following the emergence of the list of 370 suspicious students, there are demands to expand the scope of the SIT investigation. The demand is for a comprehensive examination of permanent residence and category-specific certificates to establish which documents were used by candidates to secure medical seats.

A detailed comparison of certificates with government records and admission documents could establish how many certificates were forged, improperly issued or misused, and how many students allegedly benefited from them.

If irregularities are established at any stage of the process, the roles of officials and other individuals involved in the issuance, verification or use of the certificates could also come under scrutiny.advertisementCONGRESS TARGETS GOVERNMENT OVER FAKE CERTIFICATE ALLEGATIONSThe allegations have also triggered a political confrontation in Uttarakhand.

Congress state president Ganesh Godiyal has alleged that although action is being taken in connection with the fake certificate cases, it is primarily targeting lower-level employees while influential individuals involved in the matter are being protected.

Godiyal has claimed that the practice of preparing fake certificates has been continuing in Uttarakhand for the past seven to eight years. He further alleged that people at different levels, from lower-level employees to senior officials, could be involved in the alleged irregularities.

The allegations are now under investigation, and a comprehensive examination of the certificates, government records and medical admission documents will be crucial in determining the extent of the alleged irregularities and the responsibility of those involved.- EndsREAD | Uttarakhand MBBS admissions cancelled over fake quota certificates: What happened?READ | Fake PhD scam rocks Karnataka as 249 guest lecturers face police cases, blacklist