A private educational institution, Akash International Business Management College, has been booked for allegedly cheating students by forging the signature of the Vice Chancellor of Bangalore University for their degree certificates.

The Jnana Bharati Police had registered a complaint on April 18, after Bangalore University’s Vice Chancellor, Kulapati, informed the police that his signature had been forged.

The police arrested the college Managing Director, Jaffer Sadiq on Thursday, in connection with the case.

“We have arrested the MD but the Head of the Institution, Sahnawaj, and another trustee, Sarfaraz Ismail, are still at large. The college had assured students who had failed II PUC exams that they would be able to pursue a degree by paying anywhere between Rs 50,000 and Rs 2 lakh for the admission,” Jnana Bharati police said.

The college had also collected the students’ original II PUC marks card and had allegedly forged a new one to submit to Bangalore University.

“The Vice Chancellor had refused to sign the marks cards of the students as he was doubtful about their II PUC marks. In order to keep their initial promise of a degree, the management decided to forge the VC’s signature on the marks cards,” the police added.

The Jnana Bharati police have registered a case under sections 420, 465 and 466 of the IPC against the three accused.

Two teams have been formed to look for Sahnawaj and Sarfaraz.

“Recently, first year undergraduate students protested as their results were withheld. When the students approached Bangalore University, the authorities informed the students and their parents that the college had submitted fake documents. Students and parents continued their protest and Bangalore University filed a complaint at Jnana Bharathi police station,” said Bangalore University VC, Kulapati.

Students of BCom, BCA, BBM and college lecturers met BU registrar Prof KA Lingegowda and requested that their original marksheets be returned.