14 Nepalese NIT students under CBI scanner

TIRUCHIRAPALLI: Fourteen students of Nepalese origin studying in the National Institute of Technology here have come under the CBI scanner for allegedly securing admissions under foreign resident quota by submitting "bogus" nativity certificates.CBI officials said the 14 students were actually residing in Delhi or Kolkatta and had submitted bogus nativity certificate to show as if they were living in a Nepal village.CBI officials had visited the institute thrice in recent time in connection with the probe and on the last occasion on August 10-11 questioned the students, a top NIT official told PTI on condition of anonymity.Some action could be taken against the students, doing their second year in various branches, after the CBI submitted its report to the government, the official said.The fraud came to light when the records were being verified and cross checked with the Nepal Government records."As it is a sensitive issue, involving students of foreign origin..We will do a thorough probe before recommending any action," a CBI official said.A total of 98 students were admitted in the NIT here last year and doubts had been raised with regard to the admission of only the 14 students, officials said.Two CBI officials had been drafted to find out any irregularity in the admissions and report as to where exactly was the mistake.Admission of foreign students in the institution is being coordinated by the NIT, Suratkal, since last year.