Admission For The Right Price!

Bribery scam rocks Delhi University

Money mantra for mission admission

By Amit Singh and Sidhant Maheshwari

New Delhi, Jun 29 : DU vice-chancellor Dinesh Singh expressed shock at the expose of another scam within days of a fake certificates racket being busted at the varsity.

Disillusioned with the sky-high cut-offs, serpentine queues and cumbersome admissions process at Delhi University? If you have ready cash, then there's no reason to worry. For the right price, doors to some of the best colleges of the varsity will open up for you. Going by the claims of certain current and former DU students, if you have deep pockets, then what's on your marksheet doesn't matter.

In the eye of the storm: Sri Venkateswara College was
also mentioned by the touts. (Inset) Govind

No fear
Despite detection of the recent fake certificates scam at DU, touts are still active at the varsity. After MiD DAY found out that certain people were taking money to provide seats to aspirants at DU Colleges, two of our reporters went undercover, one as a prospective student, and appeared at ARSD College on Tuesday. We contacted the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) helpdesk and met a person named Govind, who claimed to be NSUI president at the college. His name is mentioned in the pamphlets being circulated around the varsity during the admissions season. Govind was unwilling to help at first.

But after we declared that we were told about him by a friend who had used his services earlier, he slowly started to give in. After further inquiries we found the phone number of a person named Himanshu, who is currently studying at ARSD College, and is also involved in such activities. We were informed that he was a close ally of Govind. The latter asked us to speak with Himanshu first and to do what he said.

On calling up Himanshu, we got to know that this 'outfit' operates in several colleges. Not just ARSD, but institutes like Sri Venkateswara and Ramjas are in the ambit too. Himanshu asked us to come back on Friday. But when we told him that we wanted the admission on Tuesday itself and were ready to pay the 'charges' the same day, his interest was aroused. He told us that he could get us admitted in colleges like Ram Lal Anand (Evening) and Aurobindo on Tuesday. He even claimed that if we spared some extra cash, he could get the student transferred to colleges like Sri Venkateswara in the next academic year.

For right price
Later when asked about the 'charges' for admissions, we were told that the price of a seat at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma (ARSD) College is Rs 90 thousand, for Ram Lal Anand College (Evening) it's Rs 80-90 thousand and at Sri Venkateswara College it is Rs 3-4 lakh. You can also pick the particular stream of your choice. After this, we contacted Govind who also talked to Himanshu and said that he will help us, at the right price of course.

Choices galore
He asked the 'prospective student' his choice of course and college. He also wanted to know his percentage in class XII boards. Then he asked the reporter to leave photocopies of his class X and XII marksheets along with a phone number. Himanshu even asked us to meet him at Satya Niketan Market near Sri Venkateswara College. But later he had a change of plans and we could not meet him. Meanwhile, Dr Rajesh Mohan, Principal, ARSD College, did not want to comment on this issue. He said: "I don't know what has happened. I will only comment after I see it in the newspaper."

Disbelief
Dr P Hemalatha Reddy, Principal, Sri Venkateswara College was shocked to hear such allegations against the college. She said, "Our college has a foolproof system. People outside the college can say anything but we are very strict in checking the documents. We have a three-level system of verifying these certificates and I don't think anyone can pass through that with money and sources." The principal of Ram Lal Anand (Evening) College was not available for comment. "This is shocking. It is a mockery of education. Young people like NSUI members should not be indulging in forgery. It's a crime and they should be caught and taught a lesson," said Mahendra Chaudhary, State President (Delhi), NSUI.

Big deal
More details of the conversation with Govind:
Reporter: Is there any possibility of getting an admission in BSc. Physics (H) in ARSD?
Govind: I think at this point of time it won't be possible. However, you can come on Friday. We will work something out. Who gave you my contact?
Reporter: Abhishek (Ex-ARSD College President)
Govind: Can you connect me to Abhishek once?
Reporter: I don't know him directly. I got his number from a common friend. I was asked not to reveal his identity... What are the charges for other colleges apart from ARSD?
Govind: In RLA (Eve), the amount would be the same as ARSD. However in Venky the amount would just get double. Again negotiable.
Reporter: That's too much. I would want an admission in Venky if you charge less.
Govind: Till last year we got many students admitted at a price much lower than this. But this year it has become tough. You must be hearing about police crackdowns. So we have to be very cautious.
Reporter: OK, will let you know.
Govind: Submit a copy of your certificates to us. Also mention your mobile number at the back so that we can contact you later as and when required.
Caught on camera
Excerpts of MiD DAY's conversation with Govind:
Govind: It's difficult to get admission in ARSD. We could help in getting a seat in either Sri Venkateswara or Ram Lal Anand College (eve.).
Reporter: Venky will do. But what would it cost?
Govind: I will have to check (starts calling a friend).
Reporter: Ask for RLA (eve.) also. Also, in case there is any college in North Campus.
Govind: Only Ramjas in North campus.  (After talking to his friend over phone) ARSD will also be possible. Venky and RLA (eve) definitely. In fact, in RLA (eve), you can get admission today itself.
Reporter: What are the charges?
Govind: Around Rs. 90,000. However it would be negotiable when you come to pay.


Some things never change
In a similar investigation in June 2009, MiD DAY had caught up with Intikhab Alam, a self-proclaimed messiah for those who could not make it to the ever-rising cut-off of the Delhi University. The reporter had asked him to secure admission for his cousin in B Com (Hons) at a college. Alam asked our reporter to meet him at Delhi University Student's Union office at 11 am on Wednesday.

The MiD DAY reporter was at the meeting spot dot on time. However, Alam was nowhere to be seen. The reporter called up Alam, who asked him to come to a house in Old Gupta colony, about three kms away from the campus. Narrow, congested lanes took the reporter to a dingy room where Alam was sitting on a chair in front of a laptop. The room was typical of a student living in a PG accommodation. Apart from two chairs, there was a rickety study table and a low bed.

Alam started enquiring about the wherewithal of the reporter and asked general details about the cousin for whom admission was being sought. "My cousin scored 75 per cent in his 10+2," the reporter told Alam. He was also told that the cousin is from Orissa. Once assured that the 'customer' is genuine, Alam started showing his true colours.

"Admission is no problem; you will get it any college of your choice. But you have to pay up and the price is non-negotiable," he told the reporter. When asked about his price list, Alam quoted Rs 1,50,000 for the most prestigious colleges like St Stephen's, SRCC, Hindu and Sri Venkateswara College. While admission in colleges such as Hansraj and Kirori Mal will cost Rs 1,25,000, said Alam.

"You have to pay Rs 20,000 in advance and give copies of the documents. Then fill the common admission form and forget everything else," he said. Alam claimed that once the payment was made, the name of the candidate would appear in the first cut-off list of the college of his choice. "Admission guaranteed," he quipped with a smile. The reporter fixed the deal for a seat in the Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) for Rs 1,50,000. Once the deal was sealed, the reporter came out, saying he will get in touch in a day or two with all the pre-requisites.