Dummy writers scam: Gujarat education dept probe finds HN Chavda guilty

Former GSHSEB secretary HN Chavda, an influential officer of the education department, faces dismissal by the state government as charges against him in the dummy writers scam have been found correct in a departmental inquiry. MC Doshi, education officer of Ahmedabad District Education Office (DEO), has also been indicted in the inquiry.

The state government filed an affidavit in the Gujarat high court on Monday during a hearing of the petition filed by Manish Doshi seeking action against the culprits of the dummy writers scam. Doshi is a member of Gujarat University's executive council.

The state government's affidavit said that, according to the report submitted on December 2 by the inquiry officer appointed by the government, the charges levelled against Chavda had been found correct. Chavda had been placed under suspension on December 15 and, the next day, he was served a charge sheet by the inquiry officer, the affidavit said. It added that Chavda had submitted a reply the same day.

The affidavit further stated that the state government had accepted the report of the inquiry officer and had given Chavda 15 days' time to submit his final reply. On receipt of his final reply, the state government would initiate appropriate disciplinary proceedings against Chavda in accordance with the law, the affidavit stated.

The former GSHSEB secretary is currently behind bars. He was arrested on December 13 after he surrendered before the city crime branch. He has filed a bail application in the city sessions court.

Chavda is allegedly the main conspirator in the dummy writers scam which occurred during the HSC examination in 2008. He is accused of taking three teachers to AG School during the examination and making them dictate answers to the writers of Harsh Kotak and Komal Patel, who had feigned injuries in their hands.