Mahbabul Haque, the Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), has been sent to judicial custody for allegedly facilitating unfair means during examinations. Along with Haque, five teachers from a school in Patharkandi, Assam, have also been arrested. The arrests followed allegations that students from other districts were appearing for their Class 12 CBSE exams at the school with the promise of being allowed to cheat to obtain higher scores.
The case has sparked major controversy, with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stating that Haque was part of a larger network engaged in academic malpractice. The incident has raised concerns about the integrity of the education system and the prevalence of organized cheating in board exams.
Judicial Custody for USTM Chancellor and Five Teachers
After being apprehended at his residence in Guwahati, Mahbabul Haque was presented before a court in Sribhumi district, Assam, in a late-night hearing on Saturday. The court remanded Haque and the five accused teachers to 14 days of judicial custody.
The Assam police had initially sought seven days of custody to further investigate the case, but the court ruled that judicial custody was sufficient, allowing for police interrogation if necessary. The five teachers who were arrested were also placed under judicial custody, given their alleged role in enabling students to use unfair means during exams.
Allegations Against Mahbabul Haque and the ERD Foundation
Mahbabul Haque is not only the Chancellor of USTM but also the head of the ERD Foundation, which operates multiple educational institutions, including the school in Patharkandi where the exam malpractice allegedly took place.
According to reports, Haque had assured students that they would be allowed to cheat in their Class 12 CBSE board examinations. This led to an influx of students from other districts to the Patharkandi school, where they were reportedly provided with unfair advantages. The scandal was uncovered following complaints and subsequent police investigations.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has alleged that Haque is a key player in a widespread network that manipulates exam results, thereby undermining the credibility of the education system.
Government’s Response and Crackdown on Exam Malpractice
The Assam government has taken a strong stance against academic corruption, with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward exam malpractice. In a public statement, Sarma asserted that the incident is not an isolated case but part of a larger scheme designed to artificially inflate students’ grades.
The case has highlighted concerns regarding the role of private institutions in academic fraud. The Assam government is expected to tighten regulations and implement stricter monitoring mechanisms to prevent similar instances in the future.
Authorities are now investigating whether other educational institutions linked to the ERD Foundation have been involved in similar practices. Additionally, the police are working to determine if financial transactions were made in exchange for facilitating cheating.
Impact on Students and the Education Sector
The exposure of this scandal has sent shockwaves through Assam’s education system. With board examinations being a crucial stepping stone for students’ future academic and professional careers, the use of unfair means not only tarnishes the credibility of the results but also puts genuine students at a disadvantage.
This case raises serious questions about the effectiveness of examination oversight and the accountability of private institutions. If proven guilty, the accused individuals could face severe legal consequences, which may set a precedent for stricter enforcement of academic integrity across the state.
Moreover, the incident has prompted calls for educational reforms, including increased transparency in school affiliations, better monitoring of examination centers, and the deployment of independent observers to ensure fair examination practices.
The arrest of USTM Chancellor Mahbabul Haque and five teachers in Assam over allegations of facilitating cheating in CBSE board exams has exposed a deep-rooted problem within the education system. With the case now under judicial scrutiny, the Assam government has reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on academic fraud.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for authorities to implement more stringent regulations and ensure the integrity of board examinations. It also underscores the importance of vigilance from educational institutions, teachers, and students to maintain a fair and merit-based academic environment.
