Institute linked to KSOU issues fake marks cards, CID probe ordered

The Karnataka Information Commission has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the state police to conduct investigations into cases of institutes tied up with the Karnataka State Open University's (KSOU) distance education department issuing fake marks cards to students.

The commission has ordered this on the basis of information it received from the KSOU that 'Algol University Trust', which has several branches in the country, had issued a fake marks card to a student from Haryana.

A student in Haryana, Ashish Vashista, had signed up for a course in BTech (Electronics and Telecommunication) offered by Algol, in association with the KSOU.

The Trust had provided him marks cards for the first three semesters but not the fourth. This led the student to send an application to the KSOU with his registration number. As he did not receive any information from the university, Ashish filed a complaint with the Karnataka Information Commission.

After conducting an inquiry, the Commission directed the KSOU to provide marks cards. However, when the registration number provided by the student did not match with their records, the KSOU was alerted. They asked Ashish to send copies of his third semester marks card and hall ticket.

The KSOU, after scrutinising the documents, informed the Commission that the Trust was producing and distributing their own marks cards and hall tickets. Based on this, the Commission has asked KSOU to take action against the trust and has also asked the CID to conduct further investigation.