The Allahabad High Court has dismissed a petition seeking to quash an First Information Report (FIR) registered against a woman accused of defrauding a complainant of ₹22 lakh by promising a PhD degree and an assistant professor’s job at a university. The court, observing that “the common man has faith in the efficacy of corrupt practices and thinks anything can be done paying a bribe,” highlighted a “chilling trend in society.”
A bench comprising Justices JJ Munir and Tarun Saxena stated in its order that the allegations in the FIR were serious and reflected a concerning societal perception where individuals believe that bribery can facilitate any outcome. The court noted that the complainant, an educated woman, was allegedly duped due to her faith in such corrupt practices. It emphasized that admission to a PhD program or appointment to a university teaching post must follow prescribed procedures and recruitment processes, not through illicit means.
Information available with The Chenab Times indicates that the FIR was lodged in September 2024 at the Swaroop Nagar police station in Kanpur City. The charges included forgery, cheating, and criminal breach of trust, based on a complaint filed by Tanya Dixit. Dixit alleged that the petitioner, Priyanka Singh Sengar, along with other co-accused, promised her admission to a PhD program at an Aligarh-based university and an assistant professor position at a Kanpur university. Relying on these assurances, Dixit and her mother transferred a total of ₹22,18,000 to the accused individuals’ bank accounts.
The court further elaborated on the established procedures for academic admissions and university appointments. It stated that a PhD is earned by completing a program according to university rules, and teaching positions are filled through advertised recruitment processes. The bench expressed concern over the erosion of moral fiber in society, suggesting that crimes of this nature must be addressed to restore ethical standards.
The court rejected the argument for quashing the FIR based on parity with other co-accused, noting that previous orders were interim and tentative. The bench concluded that the allegations required thorough and honest investigation by the police and found it an unfit case for interference under Article 226 of the Constitution, thus dismissing the petition.
The FIR against Priyanka Singh Sengar and her family members was lodged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 467/468/471 (forgery), and 506 (criminal intimidation). The investigation is ongoing, and the court has stressed the need for a comprehensive probe into the matter.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
