Raid in Sikkim private varsity

Gangtok, Sept. 3: South Sikkim police seized documents and computers from the Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management University’s office at Jorethang yesterday following a complaint alleging cheating, forgery and other allegations.

Although regular classes are being held, the university’s office has been sealed.

Raids have also been conducted in the institution’s branch at Budang in West Sikkim and several papers seized.

The university, established in 2006, is allowed to operate only in the state and offer courses approved by the University Grants Commission.

“But it is running centres in Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Jharkhand and also in Mauritius violating all norms. It is also offering 20 degree and postgraduate (distance) courses that have not been approved by UGC,” said a police officer.

The varsity is also accused of issuing pass certificates to unsuccessful students.

“We have registered a case against the university (in Jorethang),” said a police officer. The probe started after the police got a complaint from a Sikkim resident, he said.

University director Amita Bhandari said: “Some people are issuing fake pass certificates to unsuccessful candidates. Since the last semester, we have started putting holograms on the results to stop these practices.” She added that there were 340 regular students in the BBA, MBA, BCA, computer applications and engineering courses. “There are more than 500 students in the distance learning programme which is being offered according to the rules.”

Registrar Col Alok Bhandari said: “The centres in other states carry out admissions and counselling. Classes are held only in the two centres in Sikkim.”(TT)