In a dramatic late-night operation on Friday, Assam Police and the Special Task Force (STF) arrested Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), from his residence in Ghoramara, Guwahati. The arrest follows allegations of malpractice in the CBSE Class 12 Physics examination and other fraudulent activities.
&nbsp;
Hoque is accused of facilitating unfair means during the examination at a school in Sribhumi. Reports suggest that 214 out of 274 students appearing at Kendriya Vidyalaya were from the Education Research &amp; Development Foundation (ERD) Group, which he founded. Authorities allege that students were assured assistance in the 30-mark MCQ section at the Central Public School, Patharkandi, a USTM-affiliated institution.
&nbsp;
Education Minister Ranoj Pegu stated in a social media post, &ldquo;Many students were strategically placed at exam centers for an unfair advantage. When invigilators resisted, chaos erupted, and teachers were locked inside, leading to police intervention.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Several students confirmed they had been promised assistance during the exam. &ldquo;Local students received help, but we, who traveled over 400 km, were denied the promised support,&rdquo; said one student.
&nbsp;
As the investigation deepens, Hoque has also been linked to allegations of submitting a forged caste certificate. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused USTM of large-scale fraud, including issuing fake degrees. &ldquo;The head of USTM himself is a fraud. The entire institution is fraudulent,&rdquo; Sarma stated, reaffirming his stance against such malpractices.
&nbsp;
In addition to academic fraud, USTM has been under scrutiny for alleged environmental violations. The Chief Minister previously blamed private universities, including USTM, for large-scale deforestation in Jorabat Hills, exacerbating Guwahati&rsquo;s monsoon waterlogging crisis.
&nbsp;
Following multiple complaints, police launched an investigation leading to Hoque&rsquo;s arrest. He was taken to Panbazar Police Station for questioning, with his wife also present. He is now being transported to Sribhumi for further interrogation. The family has not yet made any public statements.
&nbsp;
Authorities expect further revelations as the investigation progresses. Meanwhile, Karimganj Superintendent of Police P P Das has yet to comment on the case. This arrest is part of Assam&rsquo;s broader crackdown on fraudulent educational institutions, raising serious concerns about the legitimacy of degrees issued by private universities.
&nbsp;

Mahbubul Hoque arrested in late-night raid over CBSE exam malpractice, fake degrees, and fraud

USTM Chancellor Arrested Over CBSE Exam Fraud

Mahbubul Hoque arrested in late-night raid over CBSE exam malpractice, fake degrees, and fraud

February 22, 2025 | 14:50 IST