An associate professor of chemistry in Wagholi, Pune, Virendra Singh Yadav, was arrested on 22 September 2025 for allegedly forging a letter that falsely claimed his selection for the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award 2025-26. Authorities say the letter bore a forged signature and misled the scientific community.
Forged Award Claim: Details & Investigation Findings
The fabricated document, dated 13 September 2025, purported to bear the signature of Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology. It claimed that Yadav was the recipient of the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for 2025-26—an assertion later found false. The award itself had been replaced by the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar scheme since 2023. The National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, complained. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Human Resource Development Group (CSIR-HRDG) conducted verification and confirmed the letter and signature were forged. No legitimate selection was made in Yadav’s favour for the said award.
Legal Action & Current Status
Yadav is in police custody until 26 September 2025 following the arrest. The case was registered under relevant sections relating to cheating, forgery, and other offences under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sahi (BNS), India’s penal code, which replaced earlier laws. According to investigators, Yadav claimed he received the forged letter from an unidentified person in Mumbai. The letter had allegedly been shared among colleagues and through professional networks, raising suspicion. Officials are continuing their inquiry to determine whether others were involved.
Implications for Academic Integrity and Award Scheme
This case raises serious concerns about academic integrity, credibility of award claims, and the necessity of verification before publicizing such achievements. The misuse of prestigious award titles not only misleads peers but also impacts the reputation of genuine researchers. It also draws attention to the importance of institutes like CSIR-HRDG and NCL Pune, as well as professional networks, in detecting and countering misinformation.
