Dehradun: The investigation into the alleged use of forged certificates to secure medical college admissions in Uttarakhand has uncovered further links in the suspected racket. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested two more accused, including a middleman who allegedly used his connections within the tehsil to obtain verification reports and an associate who operates a mobile phone shop.
The accused are alleged to have facilitated the preparation and verification of forged domicile and freedom fighter descendant certificates. According to the investigation details, five people have now been arrested in the case, while the role of several others remains under scrutiny.
Meanwhile, the admissions of six candidates who allegedly used fake orphan certificates to secure MBBS seats under the orphan quota have been cancelled. Authorities are also planning changes to the counselling process, including on-the-spot verification of essential documents.
SIT Investigation Traces Alleged Certificate Network
Police registered FIRs at Raipur and Clement Town police stations on September 13. During the initial investigation, the father of a female student, identified as Arvind, and Meerut-based middleman Rupesh Pandit were arrested.
Information obtained during their interrogation led the SIT to Dheeraj Kumar Srivastava, a resident of Madhya Pradesh. During questioning, Dheeraj allegedly disclosed that he had arranged the students’ certificates through a person who claimed to have strong connections within the tehsil.
The investigation subsequently led police to a mobile phone shop at Prince Chowk, where its operator, Girish Singh, was arrested. Originally from Gangolihat in Pithoragarh district, Girish was living in the Tapkeshwar Colony area of the Cantonment.
According to investigators, Girish allegedly told police that a person had approached him to arrange domicile and freedom fighter descendant certificates for three female students.
Tehsil Middleman Allegedly Arranged Verification Reports
Girish allegedly contacted Sanjay, who lives near Dwarka Store and was described by police as a middleman claiming to have strong connections within the tehsil.
Investigators suspect that verification reports for all three certificates were obtained through Sanjay. Police also found that Girish and Sanjay had known each other for approximately 19 years.
The two allegedly charged substantial amounts for arranging the certificates. Investigators are examining their bank accounts and financial transactions to establish the money trail and determine whether other individuals were involved in the alleged arrangement.
The SIT is continuing to investigate the suspected network responsible for preparing the documents, obtaining verification reports and facilitating their use during the admission process.
Admissions of Six Candidates Cancelled
The alleged certificate fraud has also affected medical admissions in Uttarakhand.
The admissions of six candidates who allegedly submitted fake orphan certificates to secure MBBS seats have been cancelled. The candidates had been allotted seats at medical colleges in Haldwani, Srinagar and Haridwar during two rounds of counselling under the orphan quota.
After doubts emerged regarding the documents, the university administration sent the certificates to the candidates’ respective home districts for verification. District administration teams conducted physical verification over several days.
The subsequent examination reportedly revealed serious discrepancies in the submitted documents. Officials said some candidates had allegedly submitted documents portraying their living parents as deceased to establish eligibility for the orphan quota.
Following the verification process, the university administration cancelled the admissions of the candidates concerned.
University Plans Stricter Counselling Procedures
The university administration has indicated that it intends to strengthen document verification after the alleged irregularities came to light.
According to officials, changes to the counselling rules are being prepared to prevent candidates from obtaining medical seats through incorrect or fraudulent documentation.
The proposed measures include greater involvement of district administration officials during counselling, allowing essential certificates to be checked on the spot rather than relying entirely on subsequent verification.
A revised system is being prepared based on suggestions made by officials during earlier meetings. The objective is to identify discrepancies before admissions are finalised.
FCRF Launches CP-FRM to Build India’s Next Generation of Fraud Risk Professionals
Similar Case Reported Last Year
The latest case follows another reported incident involving an allegedly forged orphan certificate during medical admissions the previous year.
In that case, a candidate was reportedly allotted a seat at Government Doon Medical College and attended classes for several days before the admission was cancelled after the alleged irregularity came to light.
The recurrence of such cases has prompted the university administration to reconsider its document-verification procedures and strengthen checks during counselling.
SIT Examines Wider Network and Financial Trail
The investigation is now focused on identifying other individuals who may have participated in preparing the alleged forged certificates, securing verification reports or facilitating their submission during the admission process.
Investigators are also examining financial transactions to determine how much money was allegedly charged for the certificates and whether other intermediaries or beneficiaries were involved.
The probe is continuing, and the roles of the arrested individuals and other suspected participants will be established through the investigation and relevant legal proceedings.
What This Means For You
Candidates seeking admission under reserved or special eligibility quotas should ensure that all supporting documents are genuine and verifiable. Authorities and educational institutions can strengthen safeguards by checking certificates with the issuing administrations before finalising admissions.
The420 Insight
The case highlights potential vulnerabilities when certificate verification and admission counselling operate separately. On-the-spot checks, direct coordination with district administrations and traceable verification records could help institutions identify discrepancies earlier in the admission process.
About the Author- Ananya Aradhya writes on cybercrime, fraud, scams, cybersecurity, digital safety and emerging threats. Her work also covers major criminal cases, financial frauds, consumer scams and stories highlighting risks affecting people in the real and digital world.
Follow for daily updates on cybercrime, corporate fraud, DFIR, hacking, investigations, and digital forensics
