Eight Hyderabad colleges booked for submitting forged Fire NOCs

Hyderabad police have registered cases against eight colleges in the city for allegedly submitting forged Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs). The action comes after authorities detected discrepancies in the documents during a routine verification drive.

According to officials, the colleges are suspected of producing fake fire safety clearance certificates to meet regulatory requirements. The exact names of the institutions have not been officially released as the investigation is in its early stages.

What triggered the probe

The alleged forgery came to light when fire department officials cross-checked the NOCs submitted by these colleges with their own records. Several certificates were found to be either fabricated or not issued by the competent authority.

A complaint was subsequently lodged, and police have booked cases under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code pertaining to forgery and cheating. No arrests have been made so far, sources said.

Colleges under scanner

The eight colleges are spread across different parts of Hyderabad. While the authorities have not divulged their names, they have indicated that a detailed inquiry is underway to ascertain whether more institutions are involved in similar practices.

Fire NOCs are mandatory for educational institutions to ensure compliance with safety norms, especially in the wake of repeated incidents of fire accidents in schools and colleges across the country. The alleged fudging of such critical documents has raised serious concerns among parents and safety regulators.

Legal and administrative action

Police have initiated a thorough investigation into the matter, including examining the origin of the forged certificates and the people responsible for preparing them. The possibility of involvement of middlemen or touts is also being looked into.

Meanwhile, the education department has been alerted, and officials say they may conduct independent audits of fire safety compliance in all private colleges in the city. This could lead to stricter scrutiny of similar documents submitted by other institutions in the coming weeks.

Officials have not yet confirmed whether the colleges will face any immediate administrative action, such as suspension of affiliation or fines, pending the outcome of the police investigation.

What to watch

As the probe unfolds, more colleges could come under the scanner. The findings may prompt a broader crackdown on forged safety certificates across Telangana, with authorities expected to tighten verification protocols.