Act tough against bogus institutes, says Himachal HC

The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Thursday took serious note of mushrooming of private institutions that are not affiliated or recognised by the universities and directed the state to get tough on them.

Dismissing a bail plea by Ravi Kumar, manager with fashion designing institute Interactive Fashion Designing Institute in Dharamsala, who was booked for committing fraud, Justice Rajiv Sharma observed: "The court can also take judicial notice of the fact of mushrooming private institutions."

He said these institutions allure the gullible students by giving advertisements in the leading newspapers and collect huge amount of money from them.

"It is the duty of the state government to ensure that no fake or bogus intuitions are run throughout the state and to trace out them and close them down."

The judge asked all the superintendents of police to find out fake or bogus institutions and register case against them, seal their premises and seize their bank accounts in the interest of students.

They should also ensure that the money illegally collected by these institutions be refunded to the students, he added.

Taking serious note of tardy pace of the investigation involving the petitioner, Justice Sharma said the case should be handed over the CID and to be carried out by an officer not below the rank of Inspector.

He also directed the investigating officer to carry out investigation to ascertain prominent role played by institute managing director Rakesh Rana by registering a case against him also.

The investigating officer was also directed to attach the bank accounts of the duo.

"The court is of the prima facie view that the accused as well as Rana have defrauded the students for providing degrees and diplomas in fashion and designing," added the judge.

--IANS

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