Sonitpur Court Denies Bail to USTM Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque in Exam Fraud Case

Guwahati, March 19: A court in Sonitpur district, Assam, has rejected the bail plea of Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), in a case related to allegations of facilitating unfair means during examinations.

The Sonitpur Judicial Magistrate First Class, Hriday Jyoti Kashyap, denied bail after hearing arguments from both the prosecution and defense. Hoque, who appeared via video conference from Tezpur Central Jail, is facing multiple non-bailable charges following a complaint filed in Dhekiajuli.

Allegations and Police Investigation

According to government advocate Munin Barua, police registered the case after receiving complaints that Hoque had allegedly promised students the use of unfair means to secure high marks. The case is part of an ongoing investigation into exam malpractices across Assam.

Despite the Gauhati High Court granting Hoque bail in two separate cases in Sribhumi district, he was re-arrested by Sonitpur police in connection with the fresh allegations.

Previous Arrests and Chief Minister’s Statement

In February, Hoque and five teachers from his ERD Foundation—which operates several educational institutions—were arrested after accusations surfaced that students from other districts were illegally allowed to sit for Class 12 CBSE exams with assurances of using unfair means.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has publicly criticized Hoque, accusing him of fraudulent activities and stating that he would remain in jail for a prolonged period. Sarma also linked Hoque to a past controversy involving the fraudulent acquisition of an OBC certificate and alleged that USTM had contributed to flooding in Guwahati.

With the court’s rejection of bail, Hoque will remain in custody as further investigations continue.