The Enforcement Directorate’s Lucknow Zonal Office has provisionally attached properties valued at Rs 25.44 crore linked to a fake degree and forged academic documents scam involving Monad University in Hapur, Uttar Pradesh. This move was made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, through a Provisional Attachment order issued recently. The attached assets comprise a farmhouse, multiple flats, and vehicles registered under the names of the accused and their family members, as per a company statement.
The ED’s probe was triggered by an FIR filed by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) that uncovered a sophisticated network engaged in creating, selling, and authenticating counterfeit mark sheets, degrees, and other academic papers under the guise of Monad University. The UP STF had lodged a charge sheet on August 11, 2025, against 11 suspects under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
It was revealed during the investigation that Vijendra Singh Hooda, the Chairman of Monad University, allegedly colluded with Sandeep Sehrawat and others to exploit the university’s authority and resources for fabricating bogus documents. These fraudulent documents, including mark sheets and degrees, were peddled to students for financial gains. Over 1,800 students have been identified so far as recipients of these forged documents, leading to the generation of Proceeds of Crime (PoC) estimated at around Rs 37.66 crore. A substantial part of this illicit money was received in cash and subsequently laundered through multiple bank accounts and complex transactions.
In the course of the inquiry, the ED conducted raids under section 17 of PMLA at various locations, confiscating incriminating evidence like fake mark sheets, degrees, and verification applications. This case sheds light on the organized exploitation of an educational institution for large-scale fraud, jeopardizing the authenticity of academic qualifications and the prospects of legitimate students. Further efforts are ongoing to unravel the complete money trail and identify all beneficiaries involved in the illicit scheme.
