Fake degree racket unearthed in Sirsa

The Sirsa Police have busted a fake degree racket that sold counterfeit BA degrees for up to Rs 30,000 — without any admissions, classes, or exams. The certificates were being used by some students to secure further admissions.

The racket was allegedly run through a local institute, with Vikas Sharma, general secretary of the so-called Rural Institute of Open Schooling (RIOS), Delhi, emerging as the key accused. Sharma, a resident of Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), is already in jail in another case but was arrested on production warrant in connection with this scam.

Police said Sharma has disclosed the existence of a printing press and office in Delhi where the fake documents were prepared. A local court has remanded him to two days of police custody for further interrogation. Investigators hope to identify others linked to the racket.

The case came to light after Dr Banta Singh Bhola, principal of Government Girls College, Rania, filed a complaint. The complaint followed a raid by the Chief Minister’s Flying Squad, Hisar, on December 12, 2024, at Sai Institution in Dwarakapuri, Sirsa.

During the raid, officials seized a large cache of fake degree certificates, mark sheets, migration documents, rubber stamps, and blank forms purportedly belonging to multiple fake universities.

One student, Mukesh Kumar, confessed that he had paid Rs 30,000 for a fake BA mark sheet and even used it to secure admission into another course.

Authorities have cautioned both students and educational institutions to remain alert. The police assured that strict action would be taken against all those involved in the fraudulent network.