New FIRs against USTM Chancellor may delay Hoque’s bail order

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 11, 2025

The legal troubles for University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) Chancellor Mahbubul Hoque continue to escalate as Assam Police has registered two fresh FIRs against him at Barpeta and Kokrajhar police stations. With the Gauhati High Court set to deliver its verdict on his bail plea on Wednesday, these new cases may further delay his release.

On Tuesday, the High Court heard arguments regarding Hoque’s bail petition for the second case (Case No. 55/2025) registered at Patharkandi police station in Sribhumi district but reserved its decision for the following day. Meanwhile, the court quashed Case No. 31/2025, filed at Gossaingaon police station, after a petition was submitted by senior advocate Angshuman Bora and advocate Debanga Baidya. The petition sought to merge this case with Case No. 54/2025 at Patharkandi police station. The court also ruled that no coercive action should be taken against Hoque until March 28.

The Gossaingaon case was based on a complaint by Lilawati Basumatary, who alleged that her daughter was misled about her examination center and promised unfair assistance to secure higher marks.

Hoque was initially arrested on February 22 following serious allegations from 274 students who took the Class 12 CBSE Physics exam at Central Public School, Patharkandi. The school is managed by the ERD Foundation (ERDF), where Hoque serves as chairman.

On March 3, the High Court granted him bail in the first case filed at Patharkandi police station. In the second case, the court had earlier summoned the police to present the case diary on March 5.

The controversy centers around USTM’s Vision 50 Programme, in which 214 students—mainly from outside the region—were reportedly enrolled at Central Public School without attending classes. These students had instead been receiving coaching at USTM’s Guwahati campus. Allegations surfaced that they were assured of assistance during exams, but when no help was provided on the test day, chaos erupted.

Further claims suggest that while 45 local students received assistance in cheating, the 214 others did not, leading to frustration and protests. Reports also allege that ERDF officials took ₹5 lakh from each of the 45 students in exchange for guaranteeing their success in the exams.