Greater Noida: A ₹5 crore fee scam at Gautam Buddha University has raised serious concerns over financial transparency and internal control mechanisms within educational institutions. A case has been registered against 12 individuals, including former registrar Dr. Vishwas Tripathi, following a complaint filed by the acting registrar at the local police station. Police have initiated an investigation, though no arrests have been made so far.
Software Showed Paid Fees, But Bank Accounts Stayed Empty
Preliminary findings indicate that the fraud is linked to large-scale irregularities in student fee collections. Investigators allege that nearly ₹5 crore was shown as deposited in the university’s software system, but the amount never reached the institution’s official bank accounts. This discrepancy has brought the under the category of serious financial fraud and embezzlement.
According to investigators, certain employees from the accounts department, in collusion with outsourced data entry staff, orchestrated the scam. Fake fee receipts were allegedly issued to students, ensuring that payments appeared recorded in the system. However, the actual funds were never deposited in the bank, creating a significant gap between digital records and real financial transactions.
Sources revealed that the scam came to light during an internal audit conducted in the financial year 2024–25. The audit reportedly uncovered large-scale financial manipulation, fraud, and misappropriation, prompting authorities to order a detailed probe. Based on these findings, a formal FIR has now been registered.
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Audit Triggered Explosive FIR Against 12, Including Former Top Officials
The FIR names former registrar Dr. Vishwas Tripathi, then finance officer Neeraj Kumar, and then accounts officer Shailendra Kumar Sharma among the 12 accused. Several other staff members from the accounts section and outsourced personnel are also under scrutiny. Officials believe that the scam was carried out in an organized manner, indicating possible collusion at multiple levels.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vishwas Tripathi has denied all allegations, claiming that he is being falsely implicated due to a personal vendetta. He stated that matters related to fee collection do not fall directly under the registrar’s authority and that he had no direct involvement in the alleged irregularities.
He further alleged that his differences with the university administration led to retaliatory action against him. According to him, he had earlier flagged certain irregularities, which resulted in actions being taken against him. He also mentioned that he has approached the court regarding the issue and has received relief in his favor.
On the other hand, investigating authorities maintain that all aspects of the case are being thoroughly examined. Bank records, software entries, fee receipts, and financial documents are being cross-verified to determine how and where the funds were siphoned off. Efforts are also underway to identify the ultimate beneficiaries of the fraud.
The Uttar Pradesh government is ordering a five-year audit of all student fee collections. Officials suspect the fraud may be much bigger than first believed.
Denials, Counterclaims, and a Probe That Could Go Much Bigger
Experts point out that such scams often exploit weaknesses in internal control systems and oversight mechanisms. Regular audits and strict cross-verification processes could have helped detect the irregularities at an early stage, preventing the scale of the fraud from escalating.
At present, the police have intensified the investigation, and questioning of the accused is expected soon. As the probe progresses, more details are likely to emerge, potentially widening the scope of the scam. The case not only questions the administrative functioning of the university but also highlights the urgent need for robust financial monitoring systems to ensure accountability and transparency in public institutions.
