The Allahabad High Court has refused to quash a First Information Report (FIR) against a woman accused of defrauding an aspirant of over ₹22 lakh by promising a PhD degree and a university teaching job. In a stern observation on the “low state of moral fibre in society,” the court noted that even educated individuals are falling prey to such scams due to a misplaced faith in the efficacy of corrupt practices.
A Division Bench comprising Justice J.J. Munir and Justice Tarun Saxena dismissed a writ petition filed by Priyanka Sengar, who sought the quashing of an FIR registered at the Swaroop Nagar police station in Kanpur.
The case originated from an FIR lodged on September 14, 2024, by Tanya Dixit. According to the informant, the petitioner, Priyanka Sengar, along with three co-accused—Vikram Singh Sengar, Tripti Singh Sengar, and Sanya Singh Sengar—assured her of a PhD admission at an Aligarh-based university and an Assistant Professor position at a university in Kanpur.
Relying on these assurances, Dixit and her mother reportedly transferred ₹22.18 lakh to the bank accounts of the accused. The court noted a peculiar detail: the informant never actually applied for the academic programme or the job through any official channel.
In June 2024, the accused allegedly handed Dixit a bundle of forged documents, including:
- A PhD mark sheet and admission letter.
- A topic approval letter.
- A forged appointment letter from a Kanpur-based university directing her to join in July.
The fraud came to light when Dixit visited the university to join. The Registrar informed her that the documents were bogus and the signatures were forged. When Dixit threatened legal action, the accused allegedly issued death threats and warned her that they would implicate her in “heinous offences.”
While dismissing the petition, the High Court expressed concern over the “chilling trend” where citizens believe that academic and professional milestones can be purchased through bribes.
The Bench observed:
“It shows a very low state of moral fibre in society and crimes of this kind, to regain and restore some morality in society, must not go unpunished.”
The Court emphasized that a PhD is an earned academic distinction that follows a prescribed programme, while teaching appointments must be made through a transparent recruitment process involving public advertisements and selection committees.
Clarifying that it was not expressing a final opinion on the truthfulness of the allegations, the High Court held that the gravity of the accusations necessitated a “thorough and fair investigation” by the police.
The court’s refusal to interfere means the investigation against Priyanka Sengar and the other accused under Section 420 (Cheating) and other relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) will proceed.
