The parents of these children were charged between Rs 3-10 lakhs for admission through the EWS quota. The kingpin has been identified as Mukesh Sharma who is M.Sc (Zoology) and used to give home tuition. His other associates have been identified as Anil Kumar, Sudama Singh and Dharam Singh.
“As of now, the total number of fake EWS certificates recovered is almost 250. The schools, where the fake EWS certificates have been used for admission includes big and prominent names like DPS Rohini, Vasant Kunj, RK Puram, Mathura Road; Modern, Humayun Road; Lancer Convent; Ryan International School; Montfort School, Ashok Vihar; GD Goenka, Rohini; Vikas Bharti, Rohini; Bal Bharti School, Pitampura; Heritage School, Rohini. Verification of the EWS certificates used for admissions in many other schools is still under process,” Ravindra Yadav Joint Commissioner of police said.
Moreover, a very shocking fact came to fore that multiple admissions took place in different schools on the basis of the same certificates and also that the names of the students were changed later. “It was found that the gang was working on a unique modus operandi to get admissions done under the EWS quota. The gang first apply in various schools with random sets of children and parents with virtual names. After their candidate’s names appear in the list of selected students, the gang then identify the clients who are desperately seeking admissions. Once the admission process used to get over, the said parents used to apply for the change of names and other details by filing affidavits,” another official said.
“Sudama Singh was the <g data-gr-id="57">tout</g> from whom Anil Kumar used to take forged EWS certificates, birth certificates, voter <g data-gr-id="58">Id-cards</g> of the parents. Anil Kumar used to charge 3-5 lac per admission and further hand over the documents to Mukesh Sharma, who has emerged as the kingpin of this gang. Dharam Singh, a resident of Mangolpuri was also arrested and computer, printer, rubber stamps of various government officials, software/blank proforma, used for preparing fake documents have been recovered,” Yadav added.
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 makes it mandatory for all private unaided recognized schools to admit at least 25% children belonging to economically weaker sections and the disadvantaged group category to entry level classes and provide free and compulsory education to them till completion of elementary education.