GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday, February 23, released the names of 209 Class 12 students who were allegedly promised higher marks in the CBSE examination by Mahbubul Hoque, the recently arrested Chancellor and owner of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM).
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“These are the names of students who were promised higher marks in their CBSE examination by the owner of USTM, Mahbubul Hoque,” Sarma posted on X, adding that Assam Police is investigating the matter and has registered a case.
Hoque was arrested from his Guwahati residence on Saturday and taken to Sribhumi in southern Assam’s Barak Valley. Alongside him, five teachers of Central Public School, Patharkandi—also owned by Hoque—were arrested.
The Assam government has reiterated the chief minister’s claims that students were strategically placed in Central Public School to receive undue assistance in their Class 12 CBSE exams. “Students were reportedly assured help in the 30-mark MCQ section of their exams. When external invigilators refused to comply, chaos ensued—teachers were locked inside, prompting police intervention,” Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu stated.
Sarma had also previously said that 247 students from Goalpara, Nagaon, and Kamrup were shifted to the Patharkandi school ahead of the exams with promises of 30 extra marks. However, when they did not receive the expected advantage, they reportedly created a ruckus, exposing the alleged scam.
Opposition parties, meanwhile, have condemned Hoque’s arrest, calling it politically motivated. Congress leader Maskoor Usmani has accused the chief minister of targeting a premier institution for personal and political gains.
