Mumbai: The Somaiya Trust institutions cancelled the admissions of 47 students for Class 11 in the academic year 2024-25 after irregularities in their admission documents were uncovered, informed the Deputy Director of Education, Mumbai on Wednesday.
This action the institutes run by the trust follows an inquiry conducted by the Deputy Director of Education, Mumbai in October this year, which revealed the use of forged documents during the admission process.
The affected junior colleges include S. K. Somaiya Vinay Mandir & Junior College, K. J. Somaiya College of Science & Commerce, and K. J. Somaiya College of Arts & Commerce.
According to the Deputy Director of Education, Sandeep Sangle, the irregularities came to light during a routine verification of admissions carried internally by the institutes.
The investigation revealed that the students had submitted tampered grade sheets and fabricated school-leaving certificates to secure their places. An inquiry was initiated on October 24, 2024, and the principals of the three institutions were summoned to explain the discrepancies.
Following the inquiry, the Deputy Director issued orders to immediately cancel the admissions of the implicated students. The institutions were also directed to take strict administrative and legal action against the staff members involved in the irregularities.
In compliance with these orders, the colleges have not only annulled the admissions but have also lodged a police complaint against the employees responsible.
“As per the directive, all irregular admissions have been cancelled, and disciplinary actions have been initiated against the erring staff members,” stated Sangle. “Further legal action is being pursued, and all relevant documents have been handed over to the authorities for investigation,” he added
On Tuesday, the Mumbai police had arrested three persons, including two clerks and a middleman, for orchestrating a fake admission scam across three institutions under Somaiya Vidyavihar University
On November 25, this newspaper was the first to report that the Trust run institutes had cancelled the admissions of several students for submitting forged documents, including mark sheets and school leaving certificates, at the time of admissions in junior colleges.
The cancellations had followed a routine review process, during which discrepancies were identified in some documents submitted by the students at the time of admission.
These inconsistencies raised concerns, prompting an investigation by the institution. Upon confirmation of the irregularities, the matter was escalated to the relevant educational authorities.
Currently, the Mumbai police’s investigations are underway into the matter, and more details are expected to emerge as the case progresses. “Further legal action is underway, and related documentation has been submitted to the police,” said the Deputy Director of Education.
