The investigation into an organized racket involved in manufacturing fake degrees and mark sheets in Kidwai Nagar is revealing startling details with each passing day. Authorities have now found that a significant number of documents issued in the name of Shri Krishna University in Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, are also fraudulent. Out of 103 such documents recovered, 67 have been confirmed as fake, while 36 were verified as genuine by the university.
University Staff Under Suspicion
According to officials associated with the probe, the role of a university staff member has also come under suspicion, with indications that the individual was in contact with the racket. Interrogation is likely, and arrest may follow based on further evidence.
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Raid Uncovers 1,000+ Fake Documents
The case first came to light on February 18, when a raid was conducted at an office operating from the Juhi Gaushala area. During the search, more than 1,000 degrees and mark sheets linked to 14 universities across nine states were seized. These included documents for professional courses such as BTech, MTech, BPharma, DPharma, and LLB.
Investigators believe the racket had been active since 2012, systematically producing fake degrees, migration certificates, and academic mark sheets. So far, five accused—Shailendra Kumar Ojha, Nagesh Mani Tripathi, Jogendra, Ashwini Kumar Singh, and Vineet—have been arrested and sent to jail.
When the Special Investigation Team (SIT) carried out verification of documents linked to Shri Krishna University, several discrepancies were uncovered. The seized records included mark sheets and grade sheets for courses such as MSW, BA-BEd, BSc, BA, BA-LLB, BCA, BCom, MSc, MA, LLB, PGDCA, LLM, polytechnic diplomas, and MBA.
Out of these, 67 documents were found to be completely fake, highlighting the scale and depth of the racket. Investigators believe this may only be a fraction of the entire operation, with more revelations likely in the coming days.
₹12 Crore Trail, Bengaluru Link
The SIT is now preparing to seek custody of the accused for detailed interrogation, aiming to identify other individuals linked to the network. Officials say that digital evidence, bank transactions, and communication trails will be closely examined to uncover the full extent of the racket.
Financial investigation has also revealed that around ₹12 crore was transacted through accounts linked to the kingpin, suggesting that the illegal operation had been running on a large scale for years. Additionally, the location of one associate traced to Bengaluru indicates that the network had spread across multiple cities in the country.
Experts in the education sector warn that such fraudulent activities not only jeopardize students’ careers but also undermine the credibility of academic institutions. They stress the need for stricter enforcement and enhanced technological safeguards to curb such rackets effectively.
The fake degree scam exposed in Kanpur now stands as a major warning for educational institutions and aspirants nationwide, as authorities continue efforts to dismantle the network and bring all those involved to justice.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
