Two years after a mathematics teacher was accused of holding a fake Master’s degree, the UT Administration has dismissed him after he was found guilty.

Amar Singh, a teacher in Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 22, has also been disqualified for future employment under Rule 5 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970.

Amar had reportedly submitted a fraudulent degree of MSc in Mathematics issued by Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, in 1990 seeking promotion as a lecturer during his tenure at GMSSS-22. The Administration then issued a showcause notice to him on December 24, 2007 before initiating disciplinary action against him.

While Amar passed the buck on a private coaching institute in Sector 34 for “cheating him with a fake correspondence degree and spoiling his reputation”, the Education department ordered a probe by the Personnel department. Subsequently, a chargesheet was issued against the teacher for submitting a bogus certificate for promotion.

Amar not only denied having any knowledge of the degree being fake, but also alleged that signatures of university officials were forged in the reply given by him in his defence. These charges, however, could not be established.

An enquiry committee headed by M M Hurria was formed by the Administration in June 2008, which submitted its report in October last year.

Amar, meanwhile, gave a written statement in which he claimed to be a ‘victim’ of a fake degree racket being run in the city and volunteered that his promotion be withdrawn. He also produced two witnesses in his defence, who were also cross-examined by the enquiry officer.

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