In a major crackdown on misuse of minority status, Nagpur Police have registered serious criminal cases against nine individuals, including office-bearers of Firoz Gandhi Vidyalaya and Firoz Vidya Samiti in Milind Nagar, for allegedly obtaining minority status through fraudulent means.
The case was registered at Pachpaoli Police Station based on a complaint filed by Mohammad Ali Azad. The accused have been booked under IPC Sections 409, 420, 468, 471, and 34 for offences including criminal breach of trust, cheating, and forgery.
The accused include Krishnakumar Kedarnath Pandey, Durgaprasad Asaram Gupta, Dheeraj Ratna Krishnakumar Pandey, Yogendra Ramlochan Shukla, Haribhau Namdevrao Kirpane, Chhaya Devi Krishnakumar Pandey, Anilkumar Kedarnath Pandey, Ritu Aniruddha Tiwari, and Vishnukumar Kedarnath Pandey.
The action follows directions issued by Maharashtra Minority Commission Chairman Pyare Khan, who had ordered a detailed inquiry into the matter. Police investigations revealed that the institution allegedly secured minority status using forged documents.
Issuing a stern warning, Pyare Khan said that any attempt to obtain minority status through fraudulent means will invite strict legal action and such malpractices will not be tolerated.
Minority status grants educational institutions certain rights and benefits under the law, and obtaining it through fake documents is considered a serious financial and legal offence.
Sources indicate that after securing bogus minority status, the institution may have availed government funds and carried out irregular recruitments. A joint inquiry by the Education Department could potentially expose a larger scam.
Pyare Khan has also warned that similar institutions across Maharashtra operating with fake minority status will face strict action if found guilty during investigations.
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