2 arrested in Anna University fake honorary doctorate case

An award ceremony was organised at Vivekananda Auditorium in Anna University on February 26 in which fake honorary doctorates were distributed by International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council.

Two persons, including a key suspect, have been arrested in the Anna University fake honorary doctorate case. An award ceremony was organised at Vivekananda Auditorium in Anna University on February 26 in which fake honorary doctorates were distributed by International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council.  

Special teams of the Chennai city police nabbed the suspects in Ambur. The police said investigations were on to arrest all suspects in the case. The Madras High Court had earlier denied Harish, the prime suspect, anticipatory bail in the case, The New Indian Express reported. 

According to the Kotturpuram police, Harish, director of the council, and Maharajan, joint director, were nabbed on Sunday morning in Ambur and were brought to Chennai for inquiry. One iPhone, two laptops, fake honorary certificates, rubber stamps and 96 medals were also recovered from them, the police said. 

A senior police official said, “We have registered a case at the behest of Anna University Registrar Ravi Kumar. The suspect will be sent to judicial remand after the inquiry. Based on information given by them, others linked to the case will also be arrested.” 

On February 26, nearly 40 people, including actor Vadivelu and music director Deva, were awarded honorary doctorates by International Anti-Corruption and Human Rights Council at a ceremony held at Vivekananda Auditorium in Anna University. When it was found that the certificates were fake, Anna University registrar filed a complaint with Kotturpuram police. A case was filed under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 426 (mischief), 468 (forgery), 469 (forgery), r/w 471 (fraudulently uses fake document as genuine), 488 (making use of any false mark) of IPC. Special police teams were formed to nab the suspects. 

Earlier, Anna University Vice-Chancellor R Velraj had said the university had nothing to do with the award ceremony. “Since the organisation had a recommendation letter from Madras High Court’s retired Judge TN Vallinayagam’s recommendation letter, we rented the auditorium to them for the event,” he said. Justice Vallinayagam was the chief guest at the event. Varsity officials said the organisers could have used Vallinayagam’s fake letter to get permission to use the auditorium.   

Read more: 

• IIT Madras launches BS in Electronic Systems, JEE not required
• IIT Bombay introduces changes in UCEED, CEED 2024 syllabus
• CEED 2023 result to be out tomorrow