MANGALURU: Two years after a city-based institute began selling fake certificates for courses that it doesn’t even offer, the city police on Wednesday busted the racket behind it and arrested an employee of the institute.
Mangalore Institute of Technological Science (MITS) used to sell fake certificates for
SSLC,
PUC, degree, diploma and B.Tech courses for a charge ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 45,000 ever since it started operations in June 2016, the police said.
MITS is located on TC Road in Thokottu, around 13km from here.
While SSLC and PUC certificates were being sold for Rs 10,000, the racket used to sell degrees and diploma certificates for Rs 45,000, police said.
The website of MITS reads that the institute is accredited by ISTE, New Delhi and boasts of 17 courses, including technical training, shipping and business.
The police have arrested one of the accused namely Godwin D’Souza. He was an employee and residing close to the institute. MITS director
Askhar Sheikh and principal Askhan Sheikh are absconding. According to the police, the trio was running the racket.
Police said the accused used to target unemployed youths. They used to gather all pertinent information on such youths and issue them fake certificates within a week for a price. They had also been giving certificates to those who sought them voluntarily, police said. MITS used to issue SSLC certificates in the name of Mangalore Public School.
At least 150 students have been issued fake certificates for SSLC, PUC, degree, diploma and B Tech courses, police said. Though MITS was established in June 2016, the institute had been issuing certificates dated since 2013.
Police have recovered certificates issued by MITS, a laptop, three fake seals, a printer, papers and an iPhone from Godwin. Further investigation is underway.
Representative Photo
