Four teachers, including a retired principal, face legal charges in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly securing positions at a government-aided school using forged documents. Police registered a case against the individuals Saturday, following a formal complaint from the school’s manager.
The complaint originated from Kalawati Pandey , manager of Shambhavi Sanskrit Higher Secondary School in Chitamanpur Patna, Maheshganj area. Pandey filed the complaint Friday, accusing the school’s former principal, Harishchandra Shukla , who retired in 2021 .
According to Pandey’s statement, Shukla allegedly fabricated official documents in 2017 . He then used these forged papers to appoint his son, Shakti Prakash , and two other individuals, Nandini Devi and Khushboo , as assistant teachers at the school. These appointments bypassed legal procedures and relied on falsified managerial approvals.
The alleged fraudulent activity continued after Shukla’s retirement. In 2021 , Shukla again reportedly used forged documents. This time, he appointed his son, Shakti Prakash, to the position of the school’s principal. This action directly followed Harishchandra Shukla’s own retirement from the principal role.
However, the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS) office had made official appointments for these positions. The DIOS office appointed Shyam Shankar Mishra as the legitimate principal of the school. Additionally, Ravi Kumar Jaiswal received an official appointment from the DIOS office to teach on an honorarium basis, indicating that official channels were already in place for staffing.
Police launched an investigation based on the manager’s complaint. Additional Superintendent of Police (West) Brijnandan Rai confirmed the booking of all four accused individuals. The case highlights serious allegations of fraud and misuse of authority within the education sector.
The Accused Individuals
The police case targets the following individuals involved in the alleged illegal appointments:
| Name | Alleged Role | Appointment Year | Relationship (to Harishchandra Shukla) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harishchandra Shukla | Former Principal, Alleged Forger | — | — |
| Shakti Prakash | Assistant Teacher, Alleged Principal (2021) | 2017 (Teacher), 2021 (Principal) | Son |
| Nandini Devi | Assistant Teacher | 2017 | Acquaintance |
| Khushboo | Assistant Teacher | 2017 | Acquaintance |
Legal Implications
Forging documents for employment, especially in government-aided institutions, constitutes a serious criminal offense. Such acts undermine the integrity of the education system and deprive qualified candidates of fair opportunities. Authorities are investigating the full extent of the alleged fraud and the potential legal consequences for those involved.