Report: S. Muneer
Aligarh: Aligarh Muslim University has once again come under controversy over serious allegations of forgery, fraud, and misuse of public funds. In a significant development, the University Grants Commission has taken cognisance of a complaint submitted through Advocate Syed Kaif Hasan and directed the AMU administration to take immediate action.
The complainant, Saqib Hussain, who is working as an Upper Division Clerk (UDC) at Sir Shah Suleman Hall, has alleged that Shabeeh Ahmad, a Lower Division Clerk (LDC) in the Admission Section of the university, committed forgery in financial documents. According to Advocate Syed Kaif Hasan, the matter is not limited to an individual employee but points towards larger-scale financial irregularities within AMU.
The complaint states that AMU, being a centrally funded university by the Government of India, is expected to maintain high standards of transparency and financial discipline. Any deviation from these standards is a matter of serious concern.
As per the complaint, on April 19, 2025, Shabeeh Ahmad admitted in his affidavit that he prepared cash vouchers worth ₹9,040 himself and signed on behalf of “Yameen Hotel,” Doodhpur, Aligarh, without obtaining the actual vendor’s signature. The complainant claims this clearly constitutes forgery and manipulation of financial records.
The matter became more serious when the relevant financial registers were reportedly found “missing” or “not traceable” upon request. The complaint terms this as a possible attempt to conceal evidence and a violation of the General Financial Rules, 2017.
It has also been alleged that these vouchers were verified by Section Officer Qazi Zubair Ahmad of the Admission Section and approved by Assistant Controller Mohammad Faisal Farid, indicating that the issue may involve multiple levels within the administration.
Additionally, vouchers of ₹50 and ₹60 for rickshaw fares reportedly carried thumb impressions of an office staff member instead of the actual service providers, suggesting a pattern of financial irregularities. The issue gains further gravity in the backdrop of a reported ₹20 crore fee scam that had earlier surfaced in the media.
The complainant had initially approached the university administration in July 2025, but after no action was taken, he sought information under the RTI Act. A reply dated September 9, 2025, stated that the matter was “under consideration,” while later claims of missing registers deepened suspicion.
Importantly, the accused Shabeeh Ahmad is due to retire on April 30, 2026. The complaint warns that if a chargesheet is not issued before his retirement, the university may not be able to initiate strict action or withhold his retirement benefits. Some senior faculty members believe the delay may be deliberate to suppress the matter.
Due to the lack of concrete action at the university level, the complainant escalated the issue to the UGC, which has now directed an immediate inquiry and necessary action. The complaint demands disciplinary proceedings, a vigilance inquiry, suspension, financial audit, recovery of funds, and registration of a criminal case against those found guilty.
Senior professors have stated that the matter is not just about individual accountability but exposes serious institutional lapses that could harm the university’s growth and reputation.
When contacted, AMU Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Mohsin Khan said that he was not aware of any such complaint.
