National Desk
27 April
Sandeep Dhand
Journalist and Research Analysist
The Allahabad High Court has admitted a petition against Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya regarding the alleged use of a fake degree to obtain a petrol pump license and to contest elections. Earlier, the High Court had dismissed the petition, citing that it was filed after the prescribed time limit set by the lower court. However, following the Supreme Court’s directions, the delay in filing the review petition has now been condoned.
Justice Sanjay Kumar, in an order issued on April 25, accepted the petition and fixed May 6 as the next hearing date.
According to the facts of the case, RTI activist Diwakar Nath Tripathi filed the review petition, arguing that the degree claimed by Maurya was obtained from Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayagraj. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has reportedly declared this institution unauthorized to award degrees.
In his petition, Tripathi alleged that Maurya used this ‘fake’ degree to secure a petrol pump license and to contest elections. He has demanded that a criminal case be registered against Maurya.
At present, Keshav Prasad Maurya is a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council.
The court’s decision to admit the petition has brought renewed attention to the controversy surrounding educational qualifications of public representatives. The matter will now be heard in detail to determine whether any legal action is warranted against the Deputy Chief Minister based on the allegations made.
The case highlights the growing importance of verifying educational qualifications, especially for individuals holding public office, and it will be closely watched in political and legal circles in the coming weeks.