New Delhi, October 12: The Supreme Court has directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) and other regulatory authorities to issue public advisories warning students and parents against enrolling in fake educational institutions. The order follows the discovery of a fraudulent medical college operating from a dilapidated building in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah district.
A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and NV Anjaria issued the direction after the court was informed about the alleged functioning of the institution, known as BS Medical College. The college reportedly offered courses including D.Pharma, B.Pharma, B.Sc Nursing, DMLT, BMLT, BAMS, GNM and ANM despite operating from a rundown farmhouse with only two or three rooms.
The matter came to the court’s attention through former Indian Legal Service officer RM Sharma, who is assisting the court in a broader proceeding concerning the audit of private universities across the country.
According to information placed before the court, police have taken action against Satender Kumar, who is alleged to have been running the institution, and three other individuals.
Investigators reportedly found that Bhagwan Das Singh Baghel, an illiterate tea seller, was listed as the institution’s chairman. When questioned, Baghel allegedly claimed he was unaware of the position, although he admitted to regularly signing documents provided by Kumar.
Additional Solicitor General KM Nataraj, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, informed the bench that the state’s chief secretary had ordered an independent inquiry into the matter.
The court welcomed the proposed investigation, observing that exposing the alleged fraud was in the public interest. It also said the findings could help regulatory authorities develop guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Centre informed the court that the UGC had written to Uttar Pradesh’s additional chief secretary in charge of higher education to examine the case. The Supreme Court directed the Centre to communicate its order to all relevant regulatory bodies and monitor compliance.
Wider scrutiny of private universities
The latest direction is part of a wider judicial examination of private universities and their functioning. The proceedings originated in a case involving a student who alleged harassment by a private university when she sought to change her name in its records.
During the hearings, the Supreme Court sought detailed information from regulatory bodies about institutional inspections, affiliations, faculty strength and staffing.
The bench has also sought audited financial accounts from private universities to examine how they use surplus funds, collect student fees and pay employees. Universities have been asked to provide information about admissions, recruitment, teaching hours, classroom activity and academic evaluation procedures.
The court has emphasised that private universities should serve the broader public purpose of education rather than operate merely as profit-making institutions.
States and Union Territories have been directed to submit affidavits containing the required information within six weeks.
The matter is scheduled for its next hearing on November 19. The court’s latest order aims to strengthen public awareness and regulatory oversight to prevent students from falling victim to fraudulent educational institutions.
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