117 ‘fake’ students paid Rs 3 lakh to get Madras University degrees: Report

NEW DELHI: The University of Madras has busted at least 117 ‘fake’ students who tried to get degrees, mostly BCom, BAA, without enrolling for any course in the university, the Times of India reported.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Madras University had in 2020 allowed students who enrolled for distance degree programmes from 1980-81 to write arrear exams in online mode. As per the report, the scamsters submitted the application of these students by uploading fake course completion certificates. In return, these 117 students, who never took admission, paid Rs 3 lakh for the serial number and fake course completion certificate.

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The scam came to light when these students cleared the degree exams in December 2020 and requested Madras University to issue their certificates. However, while verifying candidates details, there was no record of their admission or tuition fee payment status, the report said. Also, it was found that these students had paid Rs 3 lakhs while the tuition fee is Rs 20,000 per student.

The report further added that the number of students who wrote the exam without studying in the institute could be more than 117.

Madras University vice chancellor S Gowri said that the university will form an inquiry panel to probe the racket. The panel will also probe if there were any irregularities in the online exam conducted during the pandemic.

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