A collaborative operation by the Assam Police and the Special Task Force (STF) has led to the arrest of Mahbubul Hoque, the Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), at his residence in Ghoramara, Guwahati. His arrest is tied to allegations involving financial transactions that allegedly facilitated cheating during the CBSE Class 12 Physics examination.

As per reports, the investigation focuses on Kendriya Vidyalaya in Assam’s Sribhumi district, where 274 students sat for the Physics exam. Of those, 45 were students from the school itself, while the remaining 214 were from the ERD Group. Allegations suggest that arrangements were made to assist ERD Group students in return for financial compensation. When these promised supports failed to materialize, it led to unrest at the exam center, prompting education authorities to initiate an investigation into the reported malpractice.

Following numerous complaints of unethical practices, a probe was launched that culminated in Hoque’s arrest. Police officials have indicated that more information may come to light as the investigation unfolds. Hoque is now being transported to Sribhumi for additional questioning, and there has been no statement released by his family regarding the situation.

This arrest comes in the wake of serious allegations made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against USTM. The Chief Minister has accused the university of extensive fraud, including the issuance of fake degrees and other financial misconduct. In a pointed remark about Hoque, CM Sarma stated, “The head of USTM himself is a fraud. The whole system is fraudulent, and the institution has been handing out counterfeit certificates.”

Furthermore, CM Sarma raised doubts about Hoque’s OBC status, claiming his caste certificate was forged. “How can our intellectuals commend someone who possesses a counterfeit OBC certificate?” he questioned. The Chief Minister also expressed concerns over USTM’s academic credibility, alleging that degrees, including PhDs, are being sold without proper examinations. “PhDs are also sold there. There are no proper exams, no degrees—nothing,” Sarma remarked.

USTM is now under heightened scrutiny regarding its financial practices, with CM Sarma connecting its current financial challenges to a governmental crackdown on foreign funding sources. “This financial crisis exists because we have blocked a significant amount of foreign funding,” he stated.