Lucknow/Barabanki (UP), Sep 4 (PTI): Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University in Barabanki has come under legal scrutiny after being booked on allegations of cheating and forgery for reportedly operating an unrecognized law course over the past three years, according to an official statement released on Thursday.
In a separate incident, the university has been slapped with a fine amounting to nearly Rs 28 lakh by the revenue department for allegedly encroaching on government land. The administration has been given a 30-day deadline to vacate the illegally occupied land.
An FIR was filed on Wednesday at the Barabanki city police station following a complaint from the Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Commission, the regulatory body under the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Act, 2019.
Dinesh Kumar, Additional Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Commission, lodged the complaint, stating that the university had unlawfully admitted students to its law programs for the academic sessions 2023-24 and 2024-25, even conducting exams without obtaining approval from the relevant authorities. Reports suggest registrations for the 2025-26 session were also in progress.
The FIR includes charges under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, such as sections 318(4) for cheating, 338 for forgery of valuable security, 336(3) for forgery, and 340 for using forged documents or electronic records as genuine.
The commission argued that these actions compromised the future of students and violated the Private Universities Act, 2019, along with related regulations. The FIR follows an inquiry report submitted by the Ayodhya divisional commissioner after student protests, notably by the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), against the institution on September 1.
"Strict legal action has been recommended against the university management," stated Dinesh Kumar in the complaint.
Tehsildar Bhupendra Vikram Singh informed that a land survey conducted last month, based on a complaint, revealed the university had encroached upon 18 land parcels—including drainage, pond, barren land, and public pathways—merging them into the campus, covering nearly six bighas of government land.
Following the investigation, the Tehsildar's court on August 25 issued an eviction order and levied a fine of Rs 27.96 lakh on the university management. The court directed the fine to be paid and the encroachment removed within 30 days, warning of potential demolition action with bulldozers if the order is not complied with.
Dr. Neerja Jindal, the university's registrar, however, denied having received any such order or notice. She claimed to have no knowledge regarding the encroachment allegations.
Regarding the approval of law courses by the Bar Council of India, she alleged that certain unidentified individuals were stirring up the issue to create disturbances. She insisted that the university had secured all necessary approvals.
Dr. Jindal mentioned the matter pertained to the renewal of recognition for law courses, which she asserted had already been completed by the Bar Council of India for BA LLB, BCom LLB, and LLB programs, totaling 240 seats.
During protests, several students, including ABVP workers, sustained injuries following police lathicharge. The incident sparked strong reactions from opposition parties as well as the BJP.
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