GUTA demands independent inquiry into Gauhati University marksheet scam

NEW DELHI: Raising serious concerns regarding the recent marksheet row in Gauhati University, the Gauhati University Teachers' Association (GUTA) on July 4 demanded an independent inquiry. The teachers’ association has also demanded accountability from the third-party agency entrusted with the management of the iUMS system, where the alleged discrepancies occurred, and demanded its immediate scrapping.

The association held an executive committee meeting to discuss the issue and presented a list of demands to the vice-chancellor.

In late June, an undergraduate student of Ganeshlal Chaudhary College (GLC College) in Barpeta was arrested for allegedly producing forged marksheets. An investigation found that students who had failed to clear papers had received calls from unknown people demanding money in exchange for increasing their marks.

GUTA demanded that the inquiry on the examination procedure be headed by a retired judge. It also said that the entire examination system should be carried out as per the Gauhati University Act.

This apart, GUTA demanded accountability from the third-party agency which handles the iUMS system. "The whole process of examination, evaluation and result system need to be looked into and thoroughly investigated, so the whole system comes under the operation as per Gauhati University Act" the statement added.

Taranee Deka, professor and president of GUTA and other committee members presented these demands to Gauhati University VC PJ Handique.

Also read Telegram link to NEET, UGC NET paper leaks unsurprising: Experts

Gauhati University Marksheet scam: Arrests

Nine people have been arrested so far by the crime investigation department (CID) and Assam police in connection with the scam. Krishnan Krishnamoorthy, the key suspect, hails from Bihar and is accused of fraudulently uploading the marks. He was among the first eight individuals arrested in the case which involved the alleged alteration of university marks in exchange for money.

The investigating team has been scrutinising the financial transactions of Krishnamoorthy and other suspects to trace the flow of money.

Gauhati University student unions’ protests

Earlier on July 1, the student unions of Gauhati University and University Law College protested demanding that the investigation be extended beyond Barpeta. They insisted that all colleges under the ambit of Gauhati University be thoroughly examined.

"We demand that iUMS be removed immediately. The university authorities now have stepped up their investigation, delving into what has been happening for the past two years. A committee has been set up under the vice-chancellor," said Jintu Das, president Gauhati University Postgraduate Students' Union.

Another student, who wished to remain anonymous, reported receiving calls from unknown numbers offering to help clear their backlog subjects for a fee. "The person who called me said he knew I had not cleared a paper and offered to help if I paid Rs 10,000 per subject," the student said.

The union further alleged that when a re-evaluation application is submitted, instead of properly reviewing the papers, some involved in the process increase marks in exchange of money.

Also read NEET Controversy: Lawyer urges SC to list plea challenging results; seeks NEET ‘paper leak’ probe

iUMS portal and complaints

The Postgraduate Students' Union had alleged that the Gauhati University authorities responsible for evaluating answer booklets were manipulating final marksheets. This issue gained prominence after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma raised concerns about the severity of the situation, revealing that individuals managing the computerised marksheet system at Gauhati University were inflating marks for certain students for financial gain.

Sarma also stated that until 2017, the marksheets were updated offline. After 2017, everything shifted online and the university started using the iUMS portal for updating marks. After he took over in 2019, several complaints started pouring. Since three batches were still enrolled under the system, it was not possible to immediately revert.

Indian Telephone Industries Limited, a PSU under the Ministry of Communications, developed the iUMS portal for the university