CASE OF FAKE CERTIFICATE RESURFACED

CASE OF FAKE CERTIFICATE RESURFACED

6-SEP-ENG 9

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR----------------------------New revelations are emerging regarding the teachers accused of misconduct with minor female students. An incident at the Middle School in Nathuni Ahir-ka-Dera—falling under the jurisdiction of the Krishnabrahm Police Station in Dumraon block—has put the entire Education Department under scrutiny. Questions are now being raised about the teacher training certificate of Birendra Prasad, one of the prime accused teachers in the case.

According to sources, Birendra Prasad (son of Raghunath Prasad) has been employed as a teacher since 2012. It is alleged that in 2023, the complainant, Shatrughna Singh, submitted an application to the District Public Grievance Officer, accusing Birendra Prasad of securing employment based on a fake certificate and demanding an investigation into the matter.

Reportedly, an inquiry was conducted at the time under the instructions of the then District Education Officer, Anil Dwivedi, through the then Block Education Officer of Buxar Sadar, Ajay Prasad. During the investigation, officials visited Shri Murli Manohar Town Post Graduate College in Ballia, which is affiliated with Purvanchal University, Jaunpur.

Sources claim that the investigation revealed that there was no record of Birendra Prasad’s enrollment for the 1997–99 session—the period associated with the teacher training certificate he had submitted for his job. However, the matter was subsequently shelved, and no concrete action was taken against the accused teacher.

The question now arises: if the investigation had indeed uncovered serious discrepancies regarding the certificate, why was no action taken at the time? Sources claim that the files and reports related to that investigation may still exist in the department's records, and the Education Department could re-examine the files of the old case if it so desires. Meanwhile, following the emergence of a case involving alleged sexual misconduct with minor female students at the Middle School located in Nathuni Ahir's Dera, both the police and the Education Department have intensified their actions. An FIR has been registered against three named teachers based on the statement of the victim's mother.

Acting swiftly on the instructions of Buxar SP Shubham Arya, the police arrested the school's headmaster, Md. Imam Ali, on Thursday. Simultaneously, the police are conducting continuous raids to arrest the other two accused teachers, Birendra Prasad and Arvind Kumar. Police teams are searching for them at their homes, potential hideouts, and other locations.

The Education Department has also adopted a stern stance following the incident. All three accused teachers, including the headmaster, have been suspended, and departmental proceedings for their dismissal have been initiated.

Additionally, the state-level award scheduled to be presented to Headmaster Md. Imam Ali on September 5th has been put on hold. Reports indicate that the decision to halt the award was made following a letter from District Magistrate (DM) Sahila.

The most significant question in this entire matter is not merely about the alleged sexual exploitation of minor students, but also concerns a past investigation by the Education Department that had raised serious questions regarding Birendra Prasad's credentials. If the earlier allegations and claims regarding that investigation prove true, this case could expose a larger narrative of departmental negligence and a lack of action over the years.

For now, the police are actively searching for the absconding teachers, while all eyes are fixed on whether the Education Department's old files will be reopened.