Shillong, Feb 23: USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque arrested in connection with an alleged ‘malpractice’ in a CBSE school was produced at the district court in Assam’s Sribhumi yesterday.
The court has denied bail and has remanded Hoque for 14 days judicial custody.
Hoque was arrested by Assam Police and STF on Friday, facing allegations of facilitating malpractice during the CBSE Class 12 Physics exam at Central Public School in Sribhumi. The accused have been arrested under Patharkandi PS Case No. 54/2025 and Case No. 55/2025, with charges related to unfair examination practices.
Meanwhile, the arrest of USTM Chancellor has been viewed by many as a ‘political vendetta’. His arrest comes days after he and his institute has been at the receiving end of several hate campaigns by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
An alumni of Aligarh Muslim University, Dr. Maskoor Usmani termed the arrest as culmination of months of targeted attack on Hoque. In a post on X, he said, “This arrest is the culmination of months of targeted attacks by the Assam CM, driven by his vested interests. Why is the Assam CM making this a personal and political vendetta? Why is he attempting to undermine and dismantle a premier NAAC-A Grade institution like USTM, which operates under the jurisdiction of the Government of Meghalaya and is governed by the academic regulations of UGC.”
Former Lok Sabha MP from Assam Abdul Khaleque while criticising the government on the arrest said, “Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is critising him continuously in public for last few months.”
Police say the arrest is in connection with a ‘law and order situation’ during the class 12 physics exam at the Central Public School in the Patharkandi area of Sribhumi district. The school is run by the Education and Research Development (ERD) Foundation founded by Hoque.
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged that some students were promised higher marks in their CBSE examination by Hoque. “Assam Police is enquiring into the matter and a case has been registered. This is a serious matter and we seek cooperation from all concerned,” he said.
While being escorted to court, Hoque had told the media, that school authorities strictly prohibited cheating and that the students themselves admitted they were not allowed to cheat.
Interestingly, a group of students alleged that Vision 50 Academy, operated by ERDF, had promised them an “unfair advantage” in the 30-mark MCQ section. Nevertheless, this alleged advantage was not provided at the examination center.
