4 held for running fake degree racket

In an intriguing case, the Delhi Police have arrested four accused for running a fake degree racket and targeting students — mostly from the rural areas — in various states of the country.

Delhi Police received a complaint from Shahbazul Haque, a resident of Delhi's Tilak Nagar area, alleging that he had been contacted by one Rupesh Kumar for admission in Class X.

However, instead of securing him admission to Class X, Rupesh offered to provide Haque with a college degree straightaway. Along with the degree, a mark-sheet, migration certificate of Class X for the year 2003 having Haque's name and photograph were also on the table. The complainant was told by Rupesh that he would need to join a course and after completing the same a 10th pass certificate would also be given. Believing Rupesh's claims, Haque paid him Rs 5,000.

However, after some time, the complainant was told that he needed to pay an additional Rs 5,000. This sprouted a doubt in Haque's mind and he realised that he was being cheated.

Finally, he decided to go to the cops, who then collected information and arrested Rupesh on February 7. His interrogation also resulted in the arrest of three other accused. They were identified as Rithesh Kumar, Someer Kumar and Mukesh Takhur. The accused used to charge between Rs 5,000 to 20,000 from the victims.