GUWAHATI, Feb 22: In a late-night operation on February 21, a joint team of Assam Police and the Special Task Force (STF) arrested Mahbubul Haque, the Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), from his residence in Ghoramara, Guwahati. Haque’s arrest is linked to allegations of financial transactions facilitating unfair practices during the CBSE Class 12 Physics examination.
According to sources, the arrest stems from allegations of malpractice involving 274 students who appeared for the exam at Kendriya Vidyalaya in Assam’s Sribhumi district. Of the 274 students, 45 were from the school, and 214 were from the ERD Group. Reports suggest that arrangements were made to assist the ERD Group students in exchange for money. However, when the promised help did not materialize, chaos ensued at the examination center.
Following complaints of potential malpractice, authorities initiated an investigation, leading to Haque’s detention. He was taken to Panbazar Police Station, where his wife was also seen. Authorities are hopeful that further details will emerge as the investigation continues. Haque is being transferred to Sribhumi for additional questioning. His family has yet to make any public statements regarding the incident.
The arrest comes amid growing controversy surrounding USTM, with sharp criticism from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Chief Minister recently accused the institution of widespread fraud, issuing fake degrees, and engaging in financial irregularities. Sarma directly targeted Haque, referring to him as a “fraud” and asserting that the entire system at USTM was fraudulent. The Chief Minister further alleged that the university had been issuing fake certificates to students, even questioning Haque’s caste credentials, claiming his OBC certificate was false.
Sarma also raised concerns about USTM’s academic integrity, alleging that degrees, including PhDs, were being sold at the institution. “PhDs are also sold there. There are no proper exams, no degrees—nothing,” Sarma remarked. Linking the financial crisis at USTM to the state government’s crackdown on external funding, Sarma suggested that the university’s financial issues were exacerbated by the blocking of significant foreign funding.
