Almost three weeks after a first information report (FIR) was filed against the three Iranian students for tampering with the University of Pune’s ledger records, there has been no progress in the case so far. The incident was reported by DNA in its September 23 edition ( ‘Cops grill 3 UoP staff ‘).
Police, University officials and the special committee appointed to look into the matter told DNA that they were yet to make any significant progress. However, the needle of suspicion continues to point towards insiders.
Reliable sources told DNA that four employees, all temporary workers belonging to the examination centre, were under the scanner. However, the sources said that two of these employees had already left the University of Pune.
“We had appointed a committee which is yet to submit its report and even the police haven’t made any arrests. We think that the Iranian students should be interrogated and made to spill the beans,” said Shivaji Ahire, University of Pune (UOP)’s controller of examinations.
However, senior police inspector Mahadev Chavan of Chatuhshrungi police station admitted that the students are not in India and they had hit a stumbling block.
“We interrogated few university staffers but are yet to get any concrete evidence. The students are abroad and can’t be questioned at the moment,” said Chavan.
Sources said that efforts would now be made to seek extradition of the three students for questioning through the Consulate of Iran, especially since the fraud came to light after they asked UoP to check veracity of the students’ documents.
The two-member committee, comprising Captain (retd) CM Chitale and S Sonawane of department of management sciences, appointed to investigate the matter, is yet to submit its report.
“We have asked for certain documents and access to information from the exam department. We are not denying possibility of insider’s involvement but we cannot make an official comment,” Chitale said.
