Shiksha Samachar: Punjab Technical University booked Punjab Technical University booked ================================================================================ Rizwan Khan on 28/03/2013 16:54:00 NEW DELHI: An FIR has been registered against Punjab Technical University (PTU) on the order of a trial court for allegedly admitting students for distance learning programmes without necessary approval from Distance Education Council. The FIR was registered on the order of chief metropolitan magistrate Vidya Prakash who had directed the DCP, crime branch of Delhi Police, to lodge a case following a complaint by one Vinay Kumar. Kumar had said he was lured to seek admission to the diploma in computer applications course and deposited Rs 8,200 on the basis of an admission notice on the website of PTU, run by the Punjab government. He later came to know that the university did not have the requisite approval from the Centre to offer courses for distance learning. The complaint had been made against PTU vice-chancellor Rajneesh Arora, and five other employees engaged in managing its day-to-day affairs. Kumar said in his complaint that "despite lacking approval various courses had been offered to students at large with dishonest intention and lakhs of Rupees have been collected in this fashion and siphoned off by the accused in fictitious bank accounts." The court said, "It is quite apparent that letter dated October 12, 2012, was issued by Distance Education Council (IGNOU) to PTU that the recognition accorded to said varsity was up to 2011-2012 and its application for renewal of recognition of programmes offered through distance mode was under process at the end of DEC and PTU had been advised that no fresh admission should be allowed till decision is taken by DEC in this regard." It agreed with complainant's submission that "the act of the varsity may have wider ramifications and possibility of large number of students being induced to get themselves admitted in various courses offered by them in their study centres in Delhi after collecting huge amount cannot be ruled out". Sourse : The Times of India