Hyderabad: The Mir Chowk police are investigating the Muslim Educational Social & Cultural Organisation (Mesco) in Hyderabad for alleged fraud and regulatory breaches, including alarming issues such as the employment of non-existent faculty, irregularities in campus infrastructure, and fraudulent issuance of certificates.
RTI responses from the Board of Intermediate Education (BIE), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) highlight a concerning pattern of false representations on MESCO’s faculty roster.
Individuals such as Dr Firdouse Saleha, Rubina Fatima, Nausheen Fathima, Mohammed Yousuf, and Haqqani GQ, listed as full-time faculty members at Mesco's Degree, MBA, MCA, junior, and pharmacy colleges, were found to have questionable credentials and minimal involvement in academic activities.
Significant irregularities were found in campus infrastructure management. Despite claims of adequate land and buildings, Mesco institutions were discovered to be operating multiple colleges and schools on the same premises without the required authorisation.
Documents revealed that only around two acres of the mandated five-acre land were available for seven institutions, casting doubt on compliance with regulatory standards and the safety of campus facilities. Land records submitted to AICTE showed four different survey numbers for the Mesco College of Pharmacy, including a leased property meant for a government girls' school.
One particularly shocking instance involved the approval of Mesco College of Pharmacy’s 2019-20 application, where the name of a deceased individual was listed as a technical staff member.
Additionally, a scam targeting Indian students abroad was uncovered, with students receiving attendance and grades despite being out of the country. PharmD students from 2019 and 2021 allegedly received degree certificates without fulfilling mandatory internship requirements at Niloufer Hospital, as revealed by an RTI reply from the hospital.
The legal turmoil within Mesco has also intensified. Recent court documents reveal internal conflicts and procedural lapses.
On March 15, 2023, the High Court directed the police to halt involvement in Mesco’s management, except for ongoing fraud investigations. On May 30, last year, D. Mohammed Iftekharuddin, secretary of Mesco, had his writ appeal dismissed, confirming the suspension of amendments to Mesco’s managing committee due to procedural issues.
Dr Iftekharuddin, along with other senior members such as Dr Ghouse Mohiuddin Ali, president; Dr M.A. Nayeem Khan, treasurer; Dr Kousar Shaheen, secretary; Dr Mohammed Amjadullah, member; Dr Mohd Samiullah Khan, vice-president; Dr Khaleeq Uz Zaman Khan, medical director; Dr Mohd Shahid Ala, joint secretary; Nooruddin Samad, accounts officer; M.A. Qadeer, manager administration; Mir Mubasheer Ali, assistant administrative manager; and Syed Zakir Hussain, assistant accountant, were embroiled in these legal battles.
On June 5, 2023, Dr Kousar Shaheen, Mesco secretary, filed a writ petition against Dr Iftekharuddin, alleging unauthorised police interference. The court issued an interim order preventing police interference in Mesco’s management except for existing fraud investigations.
Additionally, a writ petition by Dr Iftekharuddin, challenging the internal management decisions and seeking redressal, was addressed by the court. The Registrar of Societies initially refused to intervene in the internal disputes but later acknowledged amendments to the managing committee and by-laws without notifying all members, leading to further legal challenges.
The educational community and the public await the outcomes with bated breath, as the future of Mesco hangs in the balance.
Dr Ghouse Mohiuddin Ali, president, and Dr Nayeem Khan, treasurer, were unavailable for comment despite several attempts to reach them, while Dr Samiullah Khan, vice-president, directed this report to reach other officials. Dr Mohd Iftekharuddin, secretary, on two occasions sought more time to respond to questions regarding the various allegations.
Mesco under probe
Employment of non-existent faculty members with questionable credentials.
Irregularities in campus infrastructure, including insufficient land for multiple institutions.
Fraudulent issuance of one-month industrial training certificates without proper verification
Use of the name of a deceased individual in the approval process for the Mesco College of Pharmacy.
Issuance of attendance and grades to Indian students abroad without their actual presence.
Awarding degree certificates to PharmD students without mandatory internship requirements.
Unauthorised operation of multiple colleges/schools on the same premises without requisite authorisation.
Documentation tampering to obtain permissions for land use, including leasing land meant for a government girls' school.
