Fake degree scam rocks Pune's SPPU, probe ordered into alleged Rs 3 lakh fraud
Savitribai Phule Pune University has ordered an inquiry after a rickshaw driver alleged an employee took Rs 3 lakh to secure a BCom degree certificate for his son. The complaint over suspect documents has raised concerns about forgery, internal lapses and possible legal action.
A serious allegation of fraud involving the issuance of a fake degree certificate has surfaced at Savitribai Phule Pune University, prompting the university administration to initiate a formal inquiry. An employee from the university’s Finance and Accounts Department has been accused of accepting Rs 3 lakh from a rickshaw driver in exchange for arranging a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree certificate for his son.
The complainant, Mahesh Kadam, alleged that he had approached the university to seek information about his son’s educational prospects when he came in contact with Ramesh Mukhekar, who was working in the Finance and Accounts Department. Mukhekar, along with a few associates, allegedly assured him that they could provide a BCom degree certificate without following the regular academic process in return for Rs 3 lakh.
After making the payment, Kadam claimed he was handed degree-related documents that immediately raised suspicion. The certificates carried the name "University of Pune" instead of the current name, "Savitribai Phule Pune University". He further alleged that separate degree certificates had been issued for each academic year, instead of a single degree certificate upon completion of the course. Suspecting the documents were forged, Kadam submitted a written complaint to the office of the Vice-Chancellor.
UNIVERSITY ORDERS FACT-FINDING PROBE
University records from July 2025 show that Ramesh Mukhekar was serving as an Assistant Section Officer (Accounts) in SPPU’s Finance and Accounts Department.
Social activist Dhammaratna Gaikwad, who is assisting the complainant, said the university administration initiated action nearly a month after the complaint was submitted. He welcomed the formation of an inquiry but said the matter required strict action against those responsible.
In an official statement, the university’s Board of Examinations and Evaluation said it had received a complaint alleging that forged mark sheets, degree certificates and related documents had been prepared in the university’s name, resulting in financial fraud against a student.
Taking serious note of the allegations, the Vice-Chancellor has constituted a fact-finding committee to examine every aspect of the case. The university stated that administrative as well as legal action would be taken against those found responsible after the committee submits its report.
A serious allegation of fraud involving the issuance of a fake degree certificate has surfaced at Savitribai Phule Pune University, prompting the university administration to initiate a formal inquiry. An employee from the university’s Finance and Accounts Department has been accused of accepting Rs 3 lakh from a rickshaw driver in exchange for arranging a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree certificate for his son.
The complainant, Mahesh Kadam, alleged that he had approached the university to seek information about his son’s educational prospects when he came in contact with Ramesh Mukhekar, who was working in the Finance and Accounts Department. Mukhekar, along with a few associates, allegedly assured him that they could provide a BCom degree certificate without following the regular academic process in return for Rs 3 lakh.
After making the payment, Kadam claimed he was handed degree-related documents that immediately raised suspicion. The certificates carried the name "University of Pune" instead of the current name, "Savitribai Phule Pune University". He further alleged that separate degree certificates had been issued for each academic year, instead of a single degree certificate upon completion of the course. Suspecting the documents were forged, Kadam submitted a written complaint to the office of the Vice-Chancellor.
UNIVERSITY ORDERS FACT-FINDING PROBE
University records from July 2025 show that Ramesh Mukhekar was serving as an Assistant Section Officer (Accounts) in SPPU’s Finance and Accounts Department.
Social activist Dhammaratna Gaikwad, who is assisting the complainant, said the university administration initiated action nearly a month after the complaint was submitted. He welcomed the formation of an inquiry but said the matter required strict action against those responsible.
In an official statement, the university’s Board of Examinations and Evaluation said it had received a complaint alleging that forged mark sheets, degree certificates and related documents had been prepared in the university’s name, resulting in financial fraud against a student.
Taking serious note of the allegations, the Vice-Chancellor has constituted a fact-finding committee to examine every aspect of the case. The university stated that administrative as well as legal action would be taken against those found responsible after the committee submits its report.
A serious allegation of fraud involving the issuance of a fake degree certificate has surfaced at Savitribai Phule Pune University, prompting the university administration to initiate a formal inquiry. An employee from the university’s Finance and Accounts Department has been accused of accepting Rs 3 lakh from a rickshaw driver in exchange for arranging a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree certificate for his son.
The complainant, Mahesh Kadam, alleged that he had approached the university to seek information about his son’s educational prospects when he came in contact with Ramesh Mukhekar, who was working in the Finance and Accounts Department. Mukhekar, along with a few associates, allegedly assured him that they could provide a BCom degree certificate without following the regular academic process in return for Rs 3 lakh.
After making the payment, Kadam claimed he was handed degree-related documents that immediately raised suspicion. The certificates carried the name "University of Pune" instead of the current name, "Savitribai Phule Pune University". He further alleged that separate degree certificates had been issued for each academic year, instead of a single degree certificate upon completion of the course. Suspecting the documents were forged, Kadam submitted a written complaint to the office of the Vice-Chancellor.
UNIVERSITY ORDERS FACT-FINDING PROBE
University records from July 2025 show that Ramesh Mukhekar was serving as an Assistant Section Officer (Accounts) in SPPU’s Finance and Accounts Department.
Social activist Dhammaratna Gaikwad, who is assisting the complainant, said the university administration initiated action nearly a month after the complaint was submitted. He welcomed the formation of an inquiry but said the matter required strict action against those responsible.
In an official statement, the university’s Board of Examinations and Evaluation said it had received a complaint alleging that forged mark sheets, degree certificates and related documents had been prepared in the university’s name, resulting in financial fraud against a student.
Taking serious note of the allegations, the Vice-Chancellor has constituted a fact-finding committee to examine every aspect of the case. The university stated that administrative as well as legal action would be taken against those found responsible after the committee submits its report.
