Kanpur: The investigation into an alleged organised fake marksheet and degree racket has intensified, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) set to begin a financial probe into the assets and monetary transactions of the accused. The move follows findings by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which reportedly uncovered transactions worth several crores of rupees in the accused persons’ bank accounts along with multiple immovable properties. Police officials said detailed records of assets linked to the accused arrested in the Kidwai Nagar and Beconganj cases are being compiled and will soon be shared with the ED. The SIT, meanwhile, will continue investigating other aspects of the case.
Kidwai Nagar Racket Under Lens
According to investigators, a fake marksheet and degree syndicate was busted in Kidwai Nagar on February 18. Police recovered marksheets and degree certificates purportedly belonging to 14 universities across nine states. Investigators have identified Shailendra Ojha, a resident of Unchahar in Prayagraj district, as the alleged kingpin of the racket. Police allege that the syndicate supplied academic and professional qualifications ranging from High School certificates to B.Tech, LLB, D.Pharma and B.Pharma degrees without candidates appearing for the required examinations, in exchange for hefty payments.
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The investigation has further revealed that the network allegedly operated across several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Manipur, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh and Sikkim. According to police, Shailendra Ojha amassed substantial assets through the alleged illegal operation. Investigators have identified an apartment in Saket Nagar worth around ₹50 lakh, a flat in Panki valued at nearly ₹30 lakh, a plot in Ramaipur worth approximately ₹75 lakh, two land parcels in Bidhnu, and a luxury Seltos car worth about ₹20 lakh. Authorities are examining the source of funds used to acquire these assets.
Crores In Transactions Found
The SIT has also detected large-scale financial transactions in the bank accounts of other accused persons. Police said crores of rupees were routed through the accounts of Nagendra Mani Tripathi of Kaushambi, Jogendra of Ghaziabad, Ashwani Kumar of Shuklaganj, and several other individuals arrested later in the investigation. Financial records are now being scrutinised to determine whether the alleged proceeds of crime were invested in movable or immovable assets.
Meanwhile, the investigation into another fake marksheet syndicate busted in Beconganj on June 8 has also been transferred to the SIT. In that case, Ziaul Hasan alias Sameer, Nooruddin, Hasan Asif and Aamir Ahmad were arrested. Police said they recovered 62 forged marksheets and degree certificates purportedly belonging to eight universities, along with printers and other equipment allegedly used in their preparation. Investigators have also reported transactions of around ₹40 lakh in Ziaul Hasan’s bank account and more than ₹1 crore in Aamir Ahmad’s account.
ED To Examine Assets
Police officials said a comprehensive inventory of the accused persons’ movable and immovable assets is being prepared before being handed over to the ED for an independent probe into alleged money laundering and proceeds of crime. Simultaneously, the SIT continues to investigate the wider network involved in preparing forged educational documents, the alleged misuse of university identities, digital evidence, banking trails and the possible involvement of additional associates.
Financial Trail Becomes Key
Commenting on such cases, renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said the fake educational certificate trade extends far beyond academic fraud and often generates illicit proceeds that may later be invested in various assets. He stressed that comprehensive financial investigations, banking trail analysis, digital forensics and scrutiny under anti-money laundering laws are essential to dismantle organised criminal networks operating such rackets.
