Classes at EIILM to begin from 20 May

This will be the final semester for the university after which Govt will place students in other institutions

Regular classes for the final semester will commence from 20 May onwards, informs Jitendra Raje, Acting Vice Chancellor of Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management [EIILM], a private state university based out of Malbasey in West Sikkim. The students are also co-operating with the state government till they are relocated to other universities and colleges, he added.

EIILM Univ to be dissolved

The Sikkim Cabinet, in its sitting of 28 April, approved the dissolution of EIILM University proposed by the Human Resource Development Department under Section 47 of EIILM University Act, 2006. The private University’s promoters, it may be recalled had even moved the High Court some months back calling on the State Government to take over the controversy-riddled university. The promoters had subsequently withdrawn the petition and request, but matters at the university do not appear any closer to resolution, hence the govt’s decision to dissolve it.

Govt to conduct exams for EIILM students

The Human Resource Development Department, Government of Sikkim, has decided to resume the suspended examinations at EIILM University so as to safeguard and protect the interests of students. The examinations will commence on 20 March and continue till the 24th. The examination will be conducted under the supervision of the Department along with the assistance from the Dean and the faculty at EIILM University here. The Department has made all the arrangements for conducting the examination. The relocation of the students to other institutions will be taken up by the Department after the completion of the examination process. The decision has been undertaken with the necessary approval of Principal Secretary, HRD Department. This was conveyed by Jitendra Singh Raje, Director, Higher Education, Human Resource Development Department, while addressing a press conference at the HRDD Conference Hall in Gangtok on 14 March. [IPR Deptt]

EIILM withdraws request for Govt takeover, calls interviews to fill VC and Registrar vacancies

The Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management [EIILM], the private university which has remained consistently in the news for all the wrong reasons of late, has, in a dramatic turn of events, withdrawn the representation made to the State government urging it to take over the University. Following this is the publication of advertisements calling applicants for a ‘Walk-in Interview’ for the post of Vice Chancellor and Registrar of the University.

Govt requests ED to release endowment fund from EIILM’s frozen bank accounts

Plan is to conduct stalled examinations and then arrange for transfer of students to other institutes

The Higher Education Directorate of the Human Resource Development Department has requested the Enforcement Directorate to release “endowment fund” from the Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management [EIILM] bank accounts to allow for the proper conduction of stalled examinations and easing other complications afflicting the students at the university’s Malbasey, West Sikkim, campus.
The ED, it may be recalled, has frozen all bank accounts of EIILM university, and attached all its properties [except the campus in Sikkim] pending investigations of money laundering. Following this, EIILM had suspended classes at the campus last year and students there have been on dharna demanding resolution for two months now. The University management has even demanded that the State Government take over the university, an option that the government is not keen on. Authorities at the HRDD are however at work to ensure that the future of the around 200 students enrolled at EIILM-Sikkim is not jeopardized.

EIILM wants govt to take over

VISHNU NEOPANEY
The Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management [EIILM], a private state university  based out of Malbasey in West Sikkim, has almost always since its inception in 2006 been in the news for the wrong reasons. Matters for the institute came to a head towards the end of last year when the Enforcement Directorate attached all its bank accounts in end-October 2014. The institute is facing several charges, some of which have reached the courts, and now, with even its bank accounts frozen, its sponsoring body, Malvika Foundation, has written to the Chief Minister seeking that the State Government take over the university. This letter is dated 01 January 2015 and the institute and its sponsoring body have since then also approached the High Court with an appeal to make the Sikkim Government take over the university.

Protesting EIILM students agree to sit for exams: HRDD

Department gets through to acting VC, receives assurance

GANGTOK, 05 Jan: The protesting students of EIILM University have agreed to sit for the remaining papers of their examination, a press communiqué received from the Nodal Officer for Public Relations & Publicity at the Human Resource Development Department informs. This was resolved following a meeting chaired by the HRD Minister with the students in his office here today.
The Principal Secretary, HRDD, spoke to the acting Vice Chancellor of the university RP Sharma over the phone and in return, the acting VC assured that the university will conduct the examinations for the remaining papers within a very short period, the press release informs.

Minister reassures EIILM Univ’s protesting students

HRDD CONVENES MEETING WITH EIILM STUDENTS AND FACULTY IN FRESH MOVE TO BREAK IMPASSEGANGTOK, 05 Jan: The Human Resource Development Department convened a meeting today with the agitating students and faculty members of the Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management [EIILM] here at Gangtok this afternoon. The main intent behind the meeting was to figure out a solution to the ongoing impasse at EIILM where students have been on a protest strike for 13 days now. Examinations at the university began on 19 December, 2014, but the students went on strike on 24 December, since when exams have been suspended. Even as the students protest, the government mediates and the faculty complain, the senior officials of the university remain incommunicado. Today’s meeting was chaired by the HRD Minister, RB Subba, who advised the students to take their exams while the Department tries to resolve the matter. 

EIILM Univ moves High Court against new FIR

GANGTOK, 14 May: The Eastern Institute of Integrated Learning in Management [EIILM] University, Sikkim, has challenged the police action and sought the quashing of the FIR against its senior officials against which arrests were effected last Friday. This, in a petition moved in the High Court. The senior EIILM Univ officials have meanwhile since been released on bail.
While hearing the plea on Monday, the single bench of Justice SP Wangdi allowed for notices to be issued to the state respondents.
In a Criminal Miscellaneous case, the EIILM University has challenged the suo-moto FIR by Sadar Police Station at Gangtok. It has contended that the police action was “purely an abuse of power” in as much as the selling of degrees, diplomas and certificates of various courses without conducting classes on the basis of field verification report of the Additional District Collector Gangtok.
In the field verification report of the ADC, it is alleged that there was neither a department nor faculty in the University campus and no record to indicate the stay of Mandeep Kaur in Sikkim to pursue her course of Master of Arts [Education] in 2010-2012, though the University has maintained that the certificate is genuine.
The ADC, Gangtok, in his field verification report, stated that there was no department for Master of Arts [Education] course being run in the campus of the said University, besides, no approval of the Distance Education Council [DEC] has been accorded to this University for running the said course in distance mode.
“However, ADC has not cross verified the genuineness of the certificate issued to Mandeep Kaur such as answer scripts and enrollment adding that the certificate awarded to her was under distance course, which was reflected even in the verification report of ADC,” the University is now countering.
The EIILM University has said that the certificate awarded to Mandeep Kaur in 2011 and there is no complaint from the private person alleging the issuance of false and fake certificates by the University.
While challenging the police action and second FIR in Gangtok [the University was already booked on similar charges by South District cops last year], it is alleged that since the police officers were fully aware of the previous FIR, a second FIR in Gangtok was highly motivated as no offence was committed within the jurisdiction of East district.
The second case stems from the case of Mandeep Kaur [mentioned earlier] against whose degree, the Minerva College at Haryana had sought information through RTI on genuineness of the certificate awarded to her by EIILM Univ.
The EIILM Univ counsel has argued that the Supreme Court in 2001 laid down the law, wherein it was held that there can be no second FIR and there can be no fresh investigation on receipt of every subsequent information of the same cognizable offence or the same occurrence or incident giving rise to one or more cognizable office.

Arrested EIILM Univ officials make bail

GANGTOK, 07 May: EIILM University, Sikkim, Vice-Chancellor, Dr. OB Vijayan, Registrar, Col [redt] Alok Bhandari and Examination Controller, Bijay Dahaia were released on surety bail bond by the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court at Gangtok today.
The CJM, after hearing the state and defending counsels at length, released the EIILM University administrators on bail. The Sikkim Police, following an FIR lodged at Sadar Police Station here, had arrested the trio from Jorethang on Monday for charges framed under Sections 467/ 468/ 471/ 167/ 181/ 120B of the IPC. This in connection with alleged violation of University norms after a lady from Haryana was allegedly awarded an M.Ed degree even though no such course is offered at EIILM University here.
Senior Counsel of the EIILM University, KT Bhutia, along with Bandana Pradhan and Nisha Agrawal argued that the police have arrested the accused persons without proper investigation of the case and that their arrest was premature at the present stage and hence they be released on bail.

EIILM Univ top brass arrested on charges of forgery and criminal breach of trust

GANGTOK, 06 May: Senior Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management [EIILM] University officials were arrested by Sikkim Police today from Jorethang in South Sikkim in connection with a case registered at Sadar Police Station here. A police team led by SDPO [Rangpo], DSP L Palmu Chettri took the EIILM University Vice-Chancellor, Dr OB Vijayan, Registrar, Col [retd] Alok Bhandari and Examination Controller, Bijay Dahaia, into custody from Jorethang today.
The team was on its way back to Gangtok at the time of going to print.
Speaking to NOW! over the phone, Superintendent of Police [East], Manoj Tiwari, confirmed the arrests and the registering of a case against them at Sadar Police Station here.
It is informed that a lady, Mandip Kaur, of Karnal in Haryana got a teaching job based on an M.Ed. certificate purportedly issued by the University and that the Principal of her school sought details through an RTI application from the District Collector [East] on her MA [Education] certificate from the university. It is further learnt that enquiry by the ADC [East] revealed that university neither has any Education Department nor any faculty for the subject. That being the scenario, a case was filed at the Sadar Police Station leading to the arrests today.
The SP informed that trio have been booked under sections 467 [Forgery of valuable security, will, etc], 468 [Forgery for purpose of cheating], 471 [Using as genuine a forged document167], 181 [False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant or person authorized to administer an oath or affirmation] and 120 B Punishment of criminal conspiracy] of Indian Penal Code.
More details on the case should emerge as the case is processed and more evidence shared. Meanwhile, it may be recalled that EIILM University here has been under the police scanner since September last year on charges similar to the latest one. Its offices in Jorethang were subjected to a police raid on 01 Sept 2012 and its officials, arrested today in connection with a case registered at the Sadar Thana here, were presently out on bail in connection with a similar registered against them at Jorethang Police Station. Even in that case, the management of EIILM University was charged on various counts including criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy. Even then, the University was accused of doling out false degrees and certificates and offering courses for which it had neither the required infrastructure nor the required permissions.

High Court grants anticipatory bail to EIILM officials

GANGTOK, 10 Oct: The High Court of Sikkim has granted anticipatory bail to the accused / petitioners in the EIILM [Eastern Institute Of Integrated Learning & Management] University police case; this follows the rejection of their anticipatory bail application filed by a couple of the accused at the court of the Sessions Judge, South and West at Namchi.
While the additional public prosecutor, Karma Thinlay, submitted, on instruction of SP South, Manoj Tiwari, who was present, that the police had no intention to take the petitioners into custody immediately, the single bench comprising Justice SP Wangdi observed that of relevance was the registration of non bailable offences against the persons “…giving rise to a reasonable apprehension of being arrested”.
However the court also laid out some conditions for the anticipatory bail. The police had been resisting the anticipatory bail as their summons to the universities authorities for questioning, including to the Chancellor, pro vice chancellor, vice chancellor etc, had not been complied with. Counsel for the petitioners, KT Bhutia submitted that while the petitioners were willing to cooperate with the investigation it was the very apprehension of arrest that had kept the accused away from appearing from questioning. It may be added here that several of those issued summons are in New Delhi.
The court noted that of concern was the liberty of the petitioners and further, they had approached the court within the rights prescribed by law.
Among the conditions laid out by the High Court include that the accused, if arrested, will be discharged on bail on their personal and security bond of Rs. 1 lakh each; they are also to render all cooperation with the investigating officer and are to report to the I/O as and when called during reasonable hours. The court also directed that those who are in Delhi are to report to the I/O to ensure that the investigation proceeds expeditiously.
Further they cannot leave station without permission of the investigating officer. And as the university also has offshore campuses it was directed by the High Court that the petitioners hand over their passports to the I/O during the period of investigation; these shall be released only with the leave of the Court. Finally the court directed that the petitioners are not to tamper with evidence.
In fact the additional public prosecutor had objected to the bail application on apprehension that the petitioners would tamper with evidence; it was submitted that the petitioners have been tampering with evidence and causing obstruction to the investigation apart from failing to appear before the I/O.
A letter was also placed before the court in support of this wherein, one of the management members of the university, on being summoned by the I/O had requested exemption “…due to my prescheduled work…” on that particular date. The Single Bench of the high court observed that it was difficult to accept the contention that the letter would amount to tampering with evidence.
The court further noted that nothing had stopped the police from calling him again and in the event the police have reasonable proof that the person is withholding information there were sufficient powers vested with them under the law to compel disclosure.
The Jorethang police had on 1 September charged the management of EIILM university, Jorethang on various counts including criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy. The university premises had been raided and the police had charged the university of operating unauthorized campuses including offshore campuses, doling out false degrees and certificates and claiming to give degrees for courses for which they had not the required infrastructure.
It has also come to light that cases with similar allegations have been filed against EIILM authorities in other parts of the country as well particularly in Bhatinda and Mumbai. There are around 336 centres of the university all over the country.
Meanwhile, the Namchi police has issued notice under 160 CrPc to five officials of the University to be present for their statement on Monday, 15 October, 2012. Further, the police have also issued notice to all these persons [who received anticipatory bail today] to submit their passports by 5pm on October 13, 2012.

EIILM Univ withdraws petition against FIR

MANAGEMENT WILLING TO COOPERATE WITH INVESTIGATION
GANGTOK, 05 Oct: The EIILM University today withdrew its petition in the High Court of Sikkim filed earlier seeking quashing of the FIR registered against it by the South district police. At the hearing today, counsel for the petitioners, KT Bhutia, submitted that the university authorities had no objection to the investigation lest those members of the university mentioned in the FIR not be coerced by the investigating agency.
There seemed to an apprehension in the minds of the members of the university management that they could be harassed by the police. However, Counsel KT Bhutia also submitted that the management was willing to cooperate with the investigating authority.
Single Bench of the high court comprising Justice SP Wangdi while noting the apprehension of the petitioner also observed that the court could not interfere with the investigations. It was observed that the investigating agency would conduct its investigation as permissible by law. The petition was dismissed as withdrawn.
The South district police had raided the premises of the EIILM University at Jorethang during August after receiving complaints that the university was giving out false certificates and also violating other norms as set by the University Grants Commission.  Apart from other allegations the university authorities were also accused of opening offshore campuses without authorization.

Sessions Court rejects anticipatory bail plea of EIILM Univ officials

EIILM UNIV OFFICIALS DECLARED ABSCONDING, EFFORTS ON TO LOCATE THEM
NAMCHI, 16 Sept: The District and Sessions Court here rejected the anticipatory bail plea of EIILM University officials yesterday following the expiry of the initial interim order. When contacted today, SP South Manoj Tiwari stated that the Registrar, Director, Vice Chancellor, officials and owner of EIILM University are absconding and efforts are being made to locate them. Sources inform that the EIILM University officials are now planning to approach the High Court for bail.
During the hearing on 13 September, the prosecution had stated that the EIILM officials who are the prime accused in the case are not cooperating with the police investigation and despite notices issued under Section 91 CrPC and 160 CrPC they are neither furnishing relevant documents nor appearing before the police to give their statements and examination.
The prosecution, it is informed, had produced a mark sheet of LLM (Master of Law) issued and verified by the university as genuine. It is interesting to note that neither does EIILM University have any provision for the said course nor has the Bar Council of India given any approval to run the course. In addition, the University neither has a Law Department or Law College in Sikkim nor any faculty appointed for this purpose.
The EIILM University has never advertised Law Course in Sikkim and on practical verification there is no Law Course offered all over Sikkim by this university, the prosecution has contended.
Further, the prosecution produced evidence of a bank account opened in the name of a Law Department of EIILM University in a nationalized bank with huge deposits collected from students from outside the state; it also submitted before the court that only B. Tech, BBA, MBA and BCA courses are being run in its two existing colleges in Sikkim i.e. Jorethang and Budang.
Adding to this, the prosecution also submitted huge number of unchecked examination copies for various courses which has been seized and which clearly suggests that the university is making mark sheets for non existing courses being run in vacuum and thus making forged documents, and by issuing and verifying such mark sheets as genuine the officials are committing a crime under section 467 [forgery of valuable security, will, etc] and 471 [using as genuine a forged document or electronic record] of the IPC besides Section 420 and 406 IPC.
The defense in its argument had submitted that the university is approved by UGC and that the police has no right to check the activities, and that the officials of the university have high reputation in society which was countered by the prosecution by citing examples of A. Raja and Suresh Kalmadi. The defense said that the university does not require any approval from Bar Council of India (BCI) as permission has been granted by UGC which was objected by prosecution who said that without the approval of BCI no one can run law courses in the country.
Further, the prosecution stated that the setting up of off-shore campus and more than 55 centers in various places of the country by EIILM is in violation with the judgment of the Supreme Court in Professor Yashpal versus Government of Chhatisgarh also known as the Rai University case. The prosecution also provided the copy of the judgment of Supreme Court.
The defense said that they have filed a civil writ petition before the Delhi High Court for which the hearing is scheduled on 18 September to which the prosecution said that the defense has not produced any document for any relief provided by any competent court of the country, and that EIILM University falls under jurisdiction of High Court of Sikkim.
It is further learnt that B. Tech courses run by EIILM are not approved by AICTE which is why Bangladeshi students residing in Malbasey campus are sponsored by EIILM university on scholarship and enrolled with IGNOU.
Notices under 160 CrPC have been issued for the above mentioned people to turn up including the Controller of Examination of EIILM by 10 AM on 17 September.

SUS and EILLM students seek HRDD intervention on behalf of students

GANGTOK, 11 Sept: Student’s Union of Sikkim [SUS] and students of EILLM University today submitted a joint memorandum to the Human Resource and Development Department seeking the department’s intervention in the ongoing EILLM University problem.
The letter submitted has demanded a written assurance regarding the authenticity of the EIILM University from the department.
“Since a raid was conducted in the University, we feel that our career is at stake. We want the HRDD to make an intervention in solving the ongoing problem”, said a 3rd year B. Tech student, Ganesh Tamang.
According to the students, no classes have been conducted since the raid.
“We are worried as no classes have been held and the faculty too are saying that they will start teaching only after the issue is resolved”, said Amrit Rai, a BBA student.
The students and SUS members are also demanding that the Department conduct a joint press conference along with the EIILM Officials.
The letter has also demanded the resignation of the Registrar and the Director of the University.
On the other hand, the Secretary HRDD has said that the Department has taken the plea of the students seriously and will act on it.
“I have requested the students to give a month’s time to the University to submit the detailed report regarding the ongoing ruckus. HRDD director is constantly trying to reach the Vice-Chancellor of the EIILM University but has not been able to do so”, said Secretary HRDD, CS Rao.

South district police raid EIILM University office

EIILM CENTRES OPENED ILLEGALLY ACROSS INDIA INCLUDING SIKKIM AMONGST OTHER ALLEGATIONS
NAMCHI, 02 Sept: Eastern Institute for Integrated Learning in Management [EIILM] University at Jorethang is under the scanner of South district police for a number of allegations against it. A team led by SP South, Manoj Tiwari raided the University’s campus at Jorethang in the presence of SDM HQ Namchi, Karma R Bonpo.
The university has allegedly issued certificates to students from centres opened illegally in different states of India. As learnt from a reliable source, the university has been allowed to run its institute within the territory of Sikkim by the UGC, but has allegedly been running its centres illegally in different states of India as well.
The source further revealed that this was a high level complaint following which police raided the university’s office at Jorethang and sealed the office. Another round of investigation was carried out today by the South District Police team headed by SDPO, Namchi, Gegee Norbu. As learnt, police has sealed the computer, office documents and visas of Bangladeshi students.
The university is also allegedly running courses other than those approved by the UGC. Another allegation against the university is that they misguided the UGC into according them recognition claiming that the rented building from which they were running the institution was their own property. EIILM University was also allegedly issuing pass certificates to students who failed their regular courses.
A case under Section 406/ 420/ 467/ 120b/ 34 of IPC has been registered and is under investigation at Jorethang Police Station. Since the raid conducted by the South district police, the Registrar and Director of EIILM University are absconding, it is learnt. At present the university is shut down.