Fake degree row: DU to send official to Varsity to verify Ankiv Baisoya’s degree

New Delhi: In a bid to complete an initiated inquiry against students’ union president Ankiv Baisoya in the stipulated time, the Delhi University (DU) has decided to send an official to the Tamil Nadu-based Thiruvalluvar University to verify his submitted degree in DU.

The Delhi high court had earlier directed DU to complete the probe by November 12 and with just four days to wrap up the inquiry an official will be sent to TN.

DU has stated that inquiry was stretched since the officials at Thiruvalluvar University were not responding to their queries despite several letters, emails and three reminders.

Head of DU’s department of Buddhist Studies KT Sarao, who is heading the committee probing Baisoya’s case, said he would go to meet officials at Thiruvalluvar University on Friday.

“I have tried all possible means to get a clarification from Thiruvalluvar University on Ankiv Baisoya’s degree. I have also transferred Rs 500 in their account as a challan required for document verification and have sent a copy of the receipt to both the registrar and controller of examination there. But
I have not received any response from them. Now with only four days, including a weekend, left, I am left with no other option but to visit and get a response by myself,” he said.

The National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) had accused Baisoya of submitting a fake degree to get admission in DU’s Department of Buddhist Studies.

However, Baisoya is RSS-backed Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) member and has claimed to be a student of Thiruvalluvar University between 2013- 2016 and denied the allegations.

It was when the Univeristy in its response wrote to Delhi’s principal secretary of education stating Baisoya never took admission in the varsity that created a row in the campus.

The Vice-Chancellor and registrar of Thiruvalluvar have not yet responded sources said.

The NSUI has filed a plea in the Delhi high court following which the court on October 30 directed the DU to wrap up its probe by November 12.

“I am expecting to come up with some concrete information by Monday so that we can conclude our ongoing official inquiry against the student by Monday,”
Sarao said.

Meanwhile, the NSUI said the action should have taken long back.

“It’s a matter of shame that such steps are being taken in the last minute to save their faces in court. These things should have been done in September,” said Akshay Lakra, NSUI’s Delhi president.

The court will hear the matter on Monday.