Fake Degree Row: Delhi Court Extends Ex-Law Minister Tomar's Custody for 2 Days

A court here on Saturday extended for two more days the police custody of former Delhi law minister Jitender Singh Tomar in a fake degree case, after investigating officials said his questioning was required to unearth the syndicate involved in issuing fabricated documents.

Metropolitan Magistrate Pooja Aggarwal allowed Delhi Police to quiz Tomar till 15 June. Police had earlier sought 11 days custody of the accused Aam Aadmi Party leader.

Police said Tomar's migration certificate, issued by Bundelkhand University, was also fabricated and they need to go there and probe it.

Delhi Police told the court that Tomar's custody was required to unearth the conspiracy and find the people, who in connivance with the accused, obtained fabricated documents.

Police said charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act can be slapped against Tomar, as it may be possible that some government officials might be involved in the case to help him prepare the fake degree.

Representing Delhi Police, advocate Tarunvir Singh Khehar alleged that records of Tilka Manjhi University in Bhagalpur, Bihar, were "torn", which shows connivance of university officials with Tomar, and it might attract charges under the anti-graft law.

Police said the reply under the Right to Information (RTI), which was submitted to the court, was also fabricated.

The RTI reply of Tilka Manjhi University had given a clean chit to Tomar.

Officials said the vice chancellor denied that any such RTI reply was provided by the university.

Police told the court that during investigation, it came to light that Tomar allegedly had graduation degrees from four colleges.

Delhi Police arrested Tomar on Tuesday and slapped a case of cheating, forgery and conspiracy against him.

Defence counsel Rajiv Khosla on Saturday opposed the police plea and said the case was based on documentary evidence and hence no custody of the accused was required.

He said police have already been to all the places and seized all the documents.

Khosla said the only purpose for extension of custody was to "harass him (Tomar) as police were totally biased and acting on someone's will".