In the case related to fake Tamil medium education certificates, the Madurai Bench of the Chennai High Court has issued several directives to expedite the investigation and ensure compliance.
Background of the Case:
In 2019, the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) conducted Group 1 exams, and a 20% reservation was provided for candidates who had studied in the Tamil medium. However, this concession was also extended to those who pursued distance education, which led to a legal challenge. A petitioner named Sakthirav from Thirumangalam filed a case in the Madurai Bench of the High Court against this decision.
Upon hearing the case, the court ruled that extending the Tamil medium education reservation to distance education candidates was illegal. It further instructed authorities to take action against those who issued fake certificates and those who used them to secure government jobs.
Delayed Investigation:
Despite the court’s order, several universities have not provided the necessary information, delaying the investigation. Specifically, Annamalai University in Chidambaram, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli, Periyar University in Salem, and the University of Madras in Chennai have not submitted complete details, prolonging the case proceedings.
High Court Directives:
In light of this situation, the court has directed that the registrars of these four universities be added as respondents in the case. Additionally, it has ordered the appointment of an Anti-Corruption Department official to ensure that the required documents are obtained.
The court has also permitted the investigative agency (CBI) to expand the scope of the investigation and identify those who might be shielding the culprits. Legal action will be taken against those deliberately delaying the submission of crucial information.
Previous Investigation Stalemate:
For the past two years, these universities have been stalling the investigation by not providing essential details regarding the certificates. The court has now instructed that the investigation can proceed with direct inspections and collection of documents if universities continue to delay compliance.
Information Gathering and Next Steps:
The court has authorized the investigative agency to collect the necessary documents directly and has asked for continuous reports on the progress of the investigation. Further hearings on the case are scheduled for October 28, with hopes that this will expedite the resolution.
Conclusion:
The recent directives by the High Court aim to address the issues of fake Tamil medium education certificates and ensure accountability. It emphasizes the need for universities to act transparently and promptly, thereby helping curb corruption and irregularities within the educational sector. The court’s firm stance on holding the responsible parties accountable is seen as a significant step toward addressing this long-standing issue.
