Uttarakhand MBBS scam: Fake certificates showed 'AI-generated pic' of freedom fighter

DEHRADUN: A seven-member special investigation team (SIT) of Dehradun district police unit probing the alleged irregularities in MBBS admissions under the freedom-fighter dependents quota in Uttarakhand, has found that the certificates submitted by at least four students of unrelated families carried an AI-generated photograph of late freedom fighter Dharamveer, who was a resident of Dehradun's Jhanda Bazar area.Dehradun SP (rural) Jaya Baluni told TOI on Sunday, "While examining documents submitted by the four students, who availed admission under the freedom fighters' dependents quota in 2025, it was found that the photograph on the freedom fighter certificate was generated with the help of Artificial Intelligence... While the photo resembled the deceased, the other details including his father's name were incorrect." Baluni is leading the SIT set up by Dehradun SSP Pramendra Dobal on Sept 18 after the irregularities surfaced.She further said that police found that all the four students had mentioned "Dharamveer as their paternal and maternal grandfather". "This, in spite of the fact that all four belonged to totally unrelated families who had no connection with him. Also, the mandatory personal details including address and mobile number mentioned in the admission forms by the four students were found to be non-existent. They had mentioned the same mobile number on their forms, which was unusual," added Baluni.All the four students are already facing FIRs registered in the city's Clement Town and Raipur police stations, but are yet to be summoned for questioning as the contact details were found to be fake.Following the findings, police had on Saturday called the late freedom fighter's son and grandson for questioning in the case. Police said they had no idea how his certificate was used; they said he died 12 years ago and, when alive, Dharamveer had instructed authorities not to transfer his pension to anyone after his death, and that even his direct family members had never claimed any benefit using his certificate. "We have asked the SDM office to provide us with related documents for examination," Baluni said, adding that "they now suspect an organised gang to be behind this crime."Another police officer, part of the SIT probe, said that the involvement of officials in the local administration as well as the management of medical colleges and universities was also suspected."It is questionable how those fake freedom fighter dependent certificates were issued on forged documents by govt offices. At the same time, questions arise on the verification done by the college/university management of the documents submitted by the students as all the four had mentioned the same person as their grandfather with fake mobile numbers and addresses. We'll soon question them too," said the officer, who did not wish to be named.Stay updated with the latest Dehradun news. Download the TOI App.