Lucknow: Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University in Barabanki has been booked on charges of cheating and forgery for allegedly running an unrecognised law course for the last three years, an official said on Thursday.
In a separate case, the revenue department has imposed a fine of nearly Rs 28 lakh on the university for allegedly encroaching upon government land. The department has also directed the university management to remove the illegal occupation within 30 days.
### FIR Filed Over Unrecognised Law Course
An FIR was registered on Wednesday at the Barabanki city police station following a complaint from the Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Commission (UPHEC), the nodal agency under the Uttar Pradesh Private Universities Act, 2019.
According to the complaint lodged by Dinesh Kumar, Additional Secretary of UPHEC, the university admitted students to its law programme during the academic sessions 2023-24 and 2024-25 and even conducted examinations despite not having approval from the competent authority. Registrations for the 2025-26 session were reportedly underway as well.
The FIR was filed under sections 318(4) (cheating), 338 (forgery of a valuable security), 336(3) (forgery), and 340 (using forged documents or electronic records as genuine) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the official added.
The commission stated that these actions amounted to playing with the future of students and violated the Private Universities Act, 2019, and related regulations.
The FIR follows an inquiry report submitted by the Ayodhya divisional commissioner after protests by student groups, including the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), against the university on September 1.
“Strict legal action has been recommended against the university management,” said Dinesh Kumar in the complaint.
### Land Encroachment and Fine Imposed
According to Tehsildar Bhupendra Vikram Singh, a revenue team conducted a land survey last month at the university campus located on Deva-Mati road following a complaint.
During the inspection, 18 land parcels—including those recorded as drainage, pond, barren land, and public pathways—were found encroached upon and merged into the campus. This encroachment covered nearly six bighas of government land.
Following the investigation, the Tehsildar’s court on August 25 ordered eviction and imposed a fine of Rs 27.96 lakh on the university management. The court directed that the penalty be paid and the encroachment removed within 30 days.
Officials have warned that failure to comply may result in demolition action using bulldozers.
### University’s Response
University registrar Dr. Neerja Jindal denied receiving any such order or notice and stated she had no information regarding the encroachment of government land.
Regarding the approval of law courses by the Bar Council of India (BCI), she claimed the issue was being raised by unidentified individuals to create disturbance. Dr. Jindal maintained that the university possesses all necessary approvals.
She clarified that the current matter pertains to the renewal of recognition for law courses, which has already been completed by the BCI for BA LLB, BCom LLB, and LLB programmes, with a total of 240 seats.
### Student Protests and Law Enforcement Response
Several students, including ABVP workers, were injured in a police lathicharge during protests against the university. This incident drew sharp reactions from Opposition parties as well as the BJP.
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https://www.freepressjournal.in/education/shri-ramswaroop-memorial-university-booked-for-forgery-illegal-law-course-fined-28-lakh-for-land-encroachment
