Dehradun SIT Probes AI-Generated Photo in MBBS Quota Certificates

Dehradun police are probing alleged use of AI-generated images in certificates submitted for MBBS quota admissions.

What did the SIT find?

A seven-member special investigation team of Dehradun district police is investigating alleged irregularities in MBBS admissions under Uttarakhand’s freedom-fighter dependents quota. Police found that certificates submitted by at least four students from unrelated families carried what investigators described as an AI-generated photograph of late freedom fighter Dharamveer, a resident of Dehradun’s Jhanda Bazar area.

The four students had secured admission under the quota in 2025. Dehradun SP (Rural) Jaya Baluni, who is leading the SIT, said examination of their documents found that while the photograph resembled the deceased freedom fighter, other details, including his father’s name, were incorrect.

What raised suspicion about the documents?

According to Baluni, all four students identified Dharamveer as their paternal and maternal grandfather despite belonging to unrelated families with no connection to him.

Police also found that mandatory personal details, including addresses and mobile numbers provided in their admission forms, were non-existent. The four students had also mentioned the same mobile number on their forms, which investigators considered unusual.

FIRs have already been registered against the four students at Clement Town and Raipur police stations in Dehradun. They had not yet been summoned for questioning because their contact details were allegedly fake.

What did Dharamveer’s family tell police?

Police called Dharamveer’s son and grandson for questioning after the findings emerged. Investigators said the family members had no knowledge of how his certificate had allegedly been used.

They told police that Dharamveer died 12 years ago and had instructed authorities during his lifetime not to transfer his pension to anyone after his death. According to their account, even his direct family members had never claimed benefits using his certificate. Police have asked the SDM office to provide documents connected with the case for examination.

Is a wider network being investigated?

Investigators now suspect that the alleged irregularities may extend beyond the four admission cases. Baluni said police suspect an organised gang could be behind the matter.

The SIT was constituted by Dehradun SSP Pramendra Dobal on September 18 after the alleged irregularities surfaced. Investigators are examining how certificates based on allegedly forged documents were issued and subsequently used for admissions. The probe is also looking at the process through which the documents were checked before the students were admitted under the quota.

Are officials also under scrutiny?

A police officer associated with the SIT said investigators also suspect possible involvement of officials in the local administration as well as the management of medical colleges and universities.

The officer questioned how allegedly fake freedom-fighter dependent certificates were issued by government offices and how the documents passed verification at educational institutions despite all four students naming the same person as their grandfather and providing allegedly fake addresses and mobile numbers.

Police said officials connected with the verification process would also be questioned as the investigation continues. The inquiry is now focused on tracing how the disputed certificates were prepared, issued and accepted, and whether other people were involved in facilitating the admissions.