The recent exposure of a fake degree scam at Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University (HNGU) in Patan has significant implications for students, employers, and educational institutions across Gujarat. This incident highlights the risks posed by fraudulent academic credentials and underlines the necessity for stringent verification processes, particularly in North Gujarat’s educational ecosystem.
What Happened — Full Details?
On June 13, 2025, during a routine verification at the HNGU help centre in Patan, university officials uncovered that a student submitted forged academic documents. The student, identified as Neeriya Akbarali Virani from Navsari district, presented a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree allegedly from Panchjanya Institute of Commerce and Management Studies, Vadodara. However, the examination director quickly found that Panchjanya Institute is not affiliated with HNGU, rendering the degrees invalid.
Further scrutiny revealed that the mark sheets, degree certificates, and transcripts from March 2011 and 2015 were counterfeit. Particularly incriminating was a transcript dated October 9, 2024, bearing the signature of the late Dr D.M. Patel, former university Registrar who passed away in 2022, confirming the documents’ fraudulent nature.
Who Was Arrested or Accused?
Following the discovery, HNGU and Patan police initiated a formal complaint and investigation. Police have filed cases against Neeriya Akbarali Virani and Tejas Majmudar, the college operator who allegedly issued the fake certificates. Tejas Majmudar is believed to have provided the fake online degree from Panchjanya Institute. The matter is currently under active investigation by Patan police, with case number 2025/345 registered at Patan City Police Station.
What Are the Investigation and Legal Proceedings?
The Patan City Police are working closely with university officials to trace the full extent of the scam. Investigators are examining whether more students might have obtained similar fake documents from Panchjanya Institute. The case will be presented in the Patan District Court once the police complete their probe. Authorities have also alerted the Gujarat State Higher Education Council to review accreditation issues and prevent further misuse.
This incident echoes other scams in Gujarat, including the loan scam in Vadodara involving fake documents and the fake visa scam arrests, demonstrating ongoing challenges in document verification.
What Is the Background and Prior Incidents?
HNGU, established in 1986, serves several North Gujarat districts including Patan, Banaskantha, and Mehsana. The university offers a broad range of courses with a focus on maintaining academic integrity. Nonetheless, incidents of fake degrees have occasionally surfaced, prompting university authorities to strengthen verification protocols.
Similar scams have been reported in other parts of Gujarat, such as the recruitment scam at Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, underscoring the need for vigilance in educational and professional sectors.
What Is the Official Response and Community Impact?
HNGU officials have issued a public advisory urging students and employers to verify the accreditation status of colleges and degrees before acceptance. The university has also enhanced its document verification systems and is collaborating with local police to prevent fraudulent activities.
Community leaders in Patan and Navsari have voiced concerns over the potential damage to Gujarat’s education reputation. Parents and students are reminded to exercise caution and due diligence when selecting institutions. The incident has also sparked discussions at the Gujarat State Education Ministry about introducing more robust statewide verification mechanisms.
Bottom Line: The fake degree scam at Patan’s HNGU highlights the critical need for thorough academic verification in Gujarat; students and employers must rigorously confirm institutional accreditation to safeguard education and employment integrity.