A verification report from Bundelkhand University confirming a fake PhD certificate has intensified controversy surrounding former MS University vice-chancellor Vijaykumar Srivastava, prompting demands for legal action and recovery of salaries paid during his tenure.
University Verification Confirms Fake Credentials
The controversy over the appointment of former M S University vice-chancellor Vijaykumar Srivastava has intensified after a verification report from Jhansi-based Bundelkhand University confirmed that his PhD certificate is fake. Professor Satish Pathak from MSU’s faculty of education submitted representations to the state education department’s principal secretary and the MSU registrar on Wednesday, urging immediate legal and disciplinary action, citing the verification report from Bundelkhand University.
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Pathak said he had sought verification of the PhD certificate that Srivastava had submitted in an affidavit before the Gujarat high court on July 17. The degree, purportedly awarded in 2000 in organic chemistry by Bundelkhand University’s Institute of Basic Science, department of chemistry was declared fabricated by the controller of examinations. “As per their records, the PhD degree was not prepared by the university and was fake, created with malafide intentions,” Pathak quoted the university’s report as stating.
Allegations of Systematic Fraud and Deception
He alleged that Srivastava misled authorities with fraudulent bio-data, fabricated affidavits, and inflated experience claims, leading to his appointment as VC on Feb 10, 2022. The accusations suggest a pattern of deception that enabled Srivastava to secure one of the most prestigious academic positions in Gujarat’s higher education system. These allegations raise serious questions about the vetting processes used by appointment committees and the safeguards in place to prevent such fraud.
Srivastava resigned on Jan 8, 2025, a month before his tenure was due to end. The timing of his resignation, coming shortly before the natural conclusion of his term, has added to speculation about whether he was aware of the impending verification results that would expose the fraudulent credentials.
Demands for Comprehensive Investigation and Recovery
Calling the appointment “void ab initio,” Pathak urged authorities to declare it invalid from inception, recover all salaries, perks, allowances, and foreign travel expenses, and verify all his educational qualifications, including his MSc degree. This comprehensive demand reflects the severity of the allegations and the potential financial implications for the university. The call for complete verification of all credentials suggests concerns that the fake PhD may not be an isolated incident.
He further demanded an FIR for fraud, forgery, and perjury, and that Srivastava be barred from future academic or public roles. These demands indicate that Pathak views this as a criminal matter requiring formal legal intervention rather than merely an administrative issue.
Warning About Future Benefit Claims
Pathak warned that unless swift action is taken, Srivastava may try to use his tainted tenure to claim pensionary and service benefits. This warning highlights the urgency of the situation and the potential for ongoing financial damage to the institution if immediate action is not taken. The concern about pension claims suggests that the ramifications of this case could extend well beyond Srivastava’s departure from office, potentially creating long-term financial obligations based on fraudulent credentials.
The case represents a significant challenge to the integrity of India’s higher education appointment system and raises broader questions about verification processes for senior academic positions.
