11 teachers retired on fake degrees, claims whistle-blower book
Shimla, Dec 1,
A disturbing case of administrative failure has resurfaced in Himachal Pradesh after retired IAS officer Dr Arun Kumar, in his whistle-blower book Frauds in Files, revealed that eleven individuals managed to secure teaching posts in the state’s Education Department using fake degrees purportedly issued by Magadh University. The Bihar-based university has categorically denied having issued any of those degrees, yet all eleven appointees served full careers, retired before 2018, drew complete retirement benefits, and continue to receive pensions without interruption.
Dr Kumar recounts that an inquiry conducted years ago by the SDO (Civil) of a sub-division in Sirmaur district had already unearthed the irregularities. Despite this, the individuals were allowed to retire normally, closing the door on departmental action that should have followed upon confirmation of forged qualifications. A written communication received from Magadh University further affirmed that none of the eleven degrees were genuine, leaving no ambiguity regarding the fraud.
The seriousness of the matter was such that a D.O. letter was sent to the Director General of Police at the time, urging a swift investigation and reflecting the concern of the then Chief Minister. Despite these escalations, the Education Department did not initiate disciplinary or criminal proceedings. As a result, individuals who entered service through prima facie fraudulent means continue to enjoy pensionary benefits funded by the public exchequer.
Compounding the situation, Dr Kumar writes that efforts to obtain information under the Right to Information Act were consistently stonewalled. His RTI query seeking details of departmental action was diverted by the Directorate of Higher Education to Magadh University itself, even though the university had already disowned the degrees. This procedural diversion, he notes, effectively prevented disclosure and added another layer of opacity to an already troubling case.
Dr Arun Kumar, a retired IAS officer known for his evidence-based documentation of administrative lapses, uses his book to highlight how systemic failures are often concealed within routine governance. Through official records, inquiry findings and his own RTI experiences, he portrays this case not only as an instance of fraudulent recruitment but as a symptom of deeper structural weaknesses that allow such misconduct to persist unchecked.
The revelations raise uncomfortable but pressing questions about the recruitment and verification mechanisms within the state system, and about accountability when forged credentials go unchallenged for decades. As the book begins to attract attention, the episode serves as a stark reminder of how long-standing procedural gaps can erode the integrity of public institutions and undermine public trust.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
