SFI leader who did not pass M.Tech gets PhD admission: Dean hands over proof to VC before termination of deputation 

Saturday 23 August 2025 12:46 AM IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A complaint has been filed against Ashiq Ibrahim Kutty, a member of the Syndicate of the Technical University and a leader of the SFI, for illegally receiving admission to a PhD course without passing the M.Tech examination. The complaint filed by the Save University Campaign Committee to the Vice Chancellor of the Technical University alleges that the Principal of the Thrissur Government Engineering College gave the SFI leader PhD admission without him passing the first semester examination of M.Tech Production Engineering.

Ashiq had obtained special permission from the university by hiding the fact that he had not passed the first semester examination. Only those who had passed all the semesters could apply for the PhD entrance examination. The results of the last semester's examination were published in July 2024. The PhD entrance examination was in August 2024. However, even after writing the entrance examination, Ashiq continued his studies in college due to insufficient attendance in the first semester.

It was found that Ashiq had not passed M.Tech during the PhD entrance and admission, when the entire mark list was checked before the doctoral committee of the university met after he got admission for PhD.

The Dean of Research, who objected, was threatened that he would not be allowed to continue his deputation. However, the Dean handed over documents to Vice Chancellor Dr. K. Sivaprasad showing that although Ashiq had passed the fourth semester, he had not passed the first semester at the time of PhD admission and that he had written the entrance examination in violation of the rules. Meanwhile, the Dean's deputation from IHRD was also terminated.