Port Blair: In a major alleged recruitment fraud, Pahargaon Police have registered an FIR against a former contractual Master (Foreign Going) engaged by the Society for Promotion of Vocational Technical Education (SOVTECH) for allegedly securing the post with forged maritime competency certificates and drawing ₹49.20 lakh in salary and allowances between 2012 and 2018.
The FIR, registered on July 22 on the directions of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, invokes Sections 419, 420, 465, 466 and 474 of the Indian Penal Code relating to cheating, forgery and the use of forged documents.
According to the complaint, the appointment was made in 2012 after SOVTECH advertised the post to provide faculty for maritime courses at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT). The prescribed qualifications included a Certificate of Competency as Master (Foreign Going) recognised by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), besides other mandatory certifications and experience.
The alleged fraud came to light in 2019 after the Andaman and Nicobar Administration forwarded a communication based on inputs from the Directorate General of Shipping through the CBI, stating that the competency certificates relied upon by the contractual faculty member had not been issued by the DGS. A preliminary CBI enquiry reportedly indicated that the certificates appeared to be forged.
SOVTECH subsequently issued show-cause and recovery notices, seeking the refund of ₹49.20 lakh paid as salary and allowances during the contractual engagement. After no criminal proceedings were initiated, the society approached the Chief Judicial Magistrate, who directed Pahargaon Police to register an FIR. Meanwhile, the Police have begun an investigation into the case.
