USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque brought to Sribhumi in CBSE Exam Malpractice Row

Tensions flared at Central Public School (CPS) in Patharkandi on Friday as students erupted in protest over alleged unfulfilled promises of “assistance” during their Class 12 CBSE Physics examination. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to the arrest of Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM), and Chairman of the Education Research and Development Foundation (ERDF). On Saturday evening he was brought to the Sribhumi Sadar Police Station under the leadership of SP Partha Protim Das for further investigation.

According to reports, 274 students appeared for the examination at CPS Patharkandi. Of these, 214 were enrolled in CPS but had been attending classes under the Vision 50 Academy, a coaching programme run by USTM in Guwahati. These students alleged that they had been promised help during the examination, which was ultimately not provided, leading to chaos at the exam centre. Some students even claimed they were unaware of their enrolment at CPS, believing themselves to be exclusively part of the Vision 50 Academy.

Matters escalated when these students accused invigilators of favouring 45 local CPS students by allowing unfair means. Law enforcement, including local police and CRPF personnel, were deployed to contain the unrest. Following the incident, a case (No. 54/25) was registered at Sribhumi police station, leading to Hoque’s arrest.

Reacting to the situation, Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu took to social media, stating, “It has come to light that during the CBSE Class 12 final examination at CPS Patharkandi, students were allegedly assured assistance for the 30-mark MCQ section. Most of these students were strategically placed at the centre to gain unfair advantages in national competitive exams. When external invigilators refused to cooperate, chaos ensued, forcing police intervention. A thorough investigation is urgently needed.”

“⁠Prima facie it seems to case of massive Criminal Conspiracy having a larger sinister design, and further digging is required to come to a logical conclusion”, mentioned a police report. Authorities noted that while 45 students regularly attended classes at CPS, the remaining 214 students had studied at the USTM campus in Khanapara under Vision 50 Academy and were unaware of their official CPS enrolment. The students reportedly protested after realising that promised assistance in the examination was not being provided.

They claimed they were sent to the Central Public School examination centre in Patharkandi with assurances that they would receive assistance in answering the 30-mark MCQs dishonestly. However, they alleged that only local students received such help, while students from other districts were denied this advantage. Based on multiple such allegations, Mahbubul Haque has been arrested.

The unrest has raised concerns about the transparency of ERDF’s educational institutions, including USTM and CPS Patharkandi. The Assam Police Special Task Force (STF) and Sribhumi Police arrested Hoque late Friday night and transferred him to Panbazar police station in Guwahati for further interrogation.

In this regard, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma called Mahbubul Hoque a “big fraud” and said “In a recent case, 247 students from Goalpara, Nagaon and Kamrup districts were promised over 30 extra marks in CBSE Exams and taken to an exam centre in Patharkandi. When the promised advantage didn’t materialise, the situation turned chaotic exposing the scam”. He also went on to say that these manipulations extended beyond CBSE Exams.

Earlier, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called out USTM several times alleging that this institute provides fake degrees and even doctorates. The 2024 flash flooding in Guwahati was also caused by USTM, cutting hills around Guwahati to build their campus, complained Sarma.

Mahbabul Hoque was heard saying, “Our teachers didn’t let the students cheat in the exams that’s why they summoned me, I have not yet received any FIR copy, I don’t know anything in this matter”.