Tripura Issues Show Cause Notices to 34 Students Over Alleged Scholarship Fraud

Tripura Issues Show Cause Notices to 34 Students Over Alleged Scholarship Fraud

Authorities in Tripura have issued show cause notices to 34 students accused of submitting falsified income certificates to secure tribal scholarships. Officials confirmed that the students allegedly uploaded fake documents while applying for the ST Post-Matric Scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) for the 2023-24 academic year.

According to Subhasish Das, Director of the Tripura Tribal Welfare Department, inquiries conducted by administrative authorities revealed the alleged fraud. "The production of such fake income certificates to unlawfully obtain scholarship funds constitutes misappropriation of public money, document forgery, and fraud against the scholarship sanctioning authority, amounting to a criminal offence," Das stated.

The accused students have been given 15 days to respond to the show cause notices, explaining why legal action should not be initiated against them. "Their written replies must reach the undersigned no later than April 16, 2025. Failure to respond will result in ex parte action," Das warned.

The alleged fraud spans multiple districts, with Sepahijala recording the highest number of cases at 13, followed by West Tripura (8), Khowai (4), Gomati (3), South Tripura (2), Dhalai (2), North Tripura (1), and Unakoti (1). Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and may escalate the matter to law enforcement based on the students' responses.