Fake degree scam: ABVP threatens to gherao House

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 25

Protesting against issuing of five lakh fake degrees by two private universities in Himachal and inaction by the state government and Himachal Pradesh Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission (HPPEIRC), the ABVP today locked the HPPEIRC office.

District convener Sachin said the government and regulatory commission have failed to rein in private universities. As a result, a big fake degree scam has surfaced.

He said such scams have brought a bad name to the state and the student community condemns such acts. The UGC had sent a letter to the government in August 2019 but no action was taken, he stated.

The ABVP state secretary Rahul Rana warned that the ABVP would intensify its agitation and even gherao the Vidhan Sabha in the coming days.

The Shimla police have registered a case under Sections 147,149,341, IPC, on the complaint of HPPEIRC secretary Poonam alleging that a protest was held by 20-25 people, headed by Vishal Verma, secretary ABVP, in front of the commission Office Phase III in New Shimla. The protesters blocked the way to the office and tried to close the office forcibly. The case is being investigated, police sources said.