The political landscape of India has seen many twists and turns, but few stories have been as starkly emblematic of institutional loopholes and ethical erosion as the case of Jitender Singh Tomar. Once a rising star within the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Tomar’s political career was derailed by a controversy that shocked both the legal fraternity and the general public—his fraudulent LLB degree.
This exposé not only ended his career but also brought renewed scrutiny to the issue of forged academic credentials among public servants.
The Meteoric Rise of Jitender Singh Tomar
Jitender Singh Tomar came into the spotlight during the early 2010s when the Aam Aadmi Party emerged as a political force promising transparency, anti-corruption, and accountability. Tomar, a first-time MLA from Trinagar constituency, quickly rose through the ranks due to his perceived commitment to AAP’s core values and his appeal among Delhi’s middle-class and lower-income voters.
When AAP won a massive mandate in the 2015 Delhi Assembly elections, Tomar was appointed as the Law Minister—an influential position that carries significant responsibility, including overseeing the administration of justice and legal affairs in the National Capital Territory.
But behind the scenes, a scandal was brewing that would eventually unravel his entire career.
The Degree Controversy Emerges
Soon after Tomar assumed office, questions were raised about the authenticity of his educational qualifications. A few activists and watchdog groups flagged inconsistencies in the documents he had submitted during election nominations.
Tomar had claimed to hold an LLB degree from Bishwanath Singh Institute of Legal Studies, Munger, an institute once affiliated to Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University (TMBU), Bihar. According to his affidavit filed during the elections, the degree was awarded in 1999.
However, a deeper investigation uncovered a startling discrepancy: the said institute had lost its affiliation long before Tomar claimed to have graduated. Not only that, but university officials from TMBU stated on record that there was no record of Tomar ever having enrolled or passed any examination under their jurisdiction.
Legal Proceedings and Arrest
As the controversy gained momentum, petitions were filed demanding a probe into the validity of Tomar’s law degree. The matter reached the Delhi High Court, which took a stern view of the allegations. Parallel investigations were launched by both Delhi Police and various academic institutions.
In a dramatic turn of events in June 2015, Tomar was arrested by Delhi Police on charges of cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. His arrest created a political firestorm and drew sharp criticism from opposition parties and legal experts alike.
Delhi Police alleged that not only was his law degree fake, but his undergraduate degree—claimed to have been issued by Avadh University in Uttar Pradesh—was also suspect.
The charges filed against him included:
-
Cheating under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
-
Forgery under Sections 465, 468, and 471 of the IPC
-
Criminal Conspiracy under Section 120B of the IPC
Political Fallout and Resignation
Following his arrest, Tomar was compelled to resign from his post as Delhi’s Law Minister. The resignation marked a significant blow to AAP’s image, especially given the party’s emphasis on integrity and clean governance.
The Delhi Bar Council, the body that regulates legal practitioners in the capital, promptly suspended Tomar’s license to practice law. His credibility as a legal professional and politician was entirely demolished.
In 2020, the Delhi High Court disqualified him from holding public office after finding him guilty of using fraudulent academic documents for nomination during elections. His nomination itself was declared void, making his electoral victory invalid in retrospect.
Reactions and Broader Implications
The incident sparked nationwide debate about the prevalence of fake degrees among elected representatives and professionals across various sectors. Many argued that Tomar’s case was just the tip of the iceberg and called for comprehensive verification mechanisms during the nomination and affidavit submission process in elections.
The controversy also prompted political commentators to question how background checks on candidates are conducted and whether the Election Commission of India possesses the necessary resources to validate educational claims made by candidates.
Several PILs (Public Interest Litigations) were subsequently filed, demanding stricter penalties for those found guilty of submitting forged documents while contesting elections.
Aftermath and the Public’s Verdict
Tomar’s fall from grace was both swift and irreversible. Once a minister tasked with upholding the rule of law, he ended up being a textbook example of how fraudulent credentials can undermine democratic institutions and public trust.
While the legal proceedings against him served as a cautionary tale, the episode also underscored a larger systemic failure—how individuals can game the system due to poor inter-agency coordination and loopholes in the verification of academic records.
Today, Tomar remains out of the public spotlight, his political aspirations extinguished by a scandal of his own making. The party he once represented has moved on, with stricter internal mechanisms for candidate scrutiny.
Lessons from the Jitender Singh Tomar Case
The Jitender Singh Tomar episode serves as a sobering reminder of the need for robust safeguards within democratic systems. Whether it’s the Election Commission, academic institutions, or professional councils, all must work in tandem to ensure that only qualified individuals hold public office or practice regulated professions.
Some of the key lessons include:
-
Mandatory cross-verification of academic credentials for election candidates
-
Strict punitive actions for those submitting false documents
-
Real-time digital record systems for educational institutions to aid verification
-
Public access to affidavits and supporting documents for greater transparency
Conclusion
In the annals of Indian political history, the case of Jitender Singh Tomar stands out not just as an individual fall from grace but as a failure of systemic checks. While Tomar bore the consequences of his actions, the episode ignited critical conversations about transparency and accountability in public life.
Our Services – FACTS Transcripts
We at FACTS Transcripts assist in various services, including:
- Mark Sheet Transcripts
- E-Transcripts
- Duplicate Mark Sheets & Degree Certificates
- Medium of Instructions Certificates
- Attestations
- HRD Attestation / Apostille Services
- ECA (Educational Credentials Assessment)
Trusted by leading global verification organizations, including WES, IQAS, PEBC, NDEB, NASBA, CAPR, NZQA, ICAS, NCESS, ICES, ECE, eduPASS, ACEI, GCEUS, Comparative Education Services, NNAS, NCA, SAQA, QMAS, FORAC, Australian Pharmacy Council, and more.
FACTS Transcripts – The preferred choice for university document verification worldwide. We ensure a hassle-free process for obtaining your transcripts.
