Delhi Varsity to make its mark, finally

Watermarks and standardized format for certificates issued by the Delhi University announced after MiD DAY expose about the fake documents

Earning a Delhi University degree is not an easy task, not even if you want to fake it.

The central varsity will soon put in checks and balances that were missing earlier, to prevent the rampant business of producing fake certificates.

"We have taken the issue very seriously. We are planning to introduce special watermarks on the certificates and mark sheets issued by the University to prevent fraud. However, the process will take time," Delhi University Vice-Chancellor Deepak Pental told MiD DAY while reacting to a MiD DAY expose on how fake certificates are being used to procure jobs in multi-national companies.

"We also need to standardize the format of certificates issued by the colleges affiliated to the Delhi University," Pental added.

The Vice-Chancellor has also issued strict instructions to the authorities to see to it that such malpractices should be stopped immediately.

He pointed out that the verification carried out by most of the private companies is faulty. "From various corporate houses we keep receiving documents for verification but the whole process takes over a month. This also needs to be rectified so that companies can run background checks on prospective job seekers."

Presently, the certificates issued by different colleges of Delhi University contain only the college name (along with the logo) and University's logo on it. Therefore, the touts find Delhi University's marksheets an easy task to duplicate. "Since there are no watermarks, it is not that difficult to make fake DU certificates," said a tout.

The police also sounded a warning bell. "This is an act of fraud and cheating and it can lead up to 10 years of imprisonment. We advice all companies to give the appointment letter only after preliminary verification of certificates submitted by the candidates," said Delhi Police PRO Rajan Bhagat.

Tout in the net
In July this year, a 49-year-old Delhi University graduate was arrested for allegedly running a fake university in the Capital. Thousands of fake degree certificates of various courses, letterheads and stamps bearing the name of the university were seized. Anil Kumar Aggarwal used to run the racket from an LIG flat in Sarita Vihar since 1997. He used to put up advertisements in newspapers and trap unsuspecting people with promises of MBA, MCA, M.Com, M.Ed. and B.Ed. degree certificates. He charged Rs.9, 000 to Rs.20.000 for the certificate.