A severe case of cyber fraud has come to light at the Government Polytechnic Institute Baru in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, where fifth-semester computer engineering student Sarvesh Sharma was deceived with forged defence grant documents. The incident has exposed major procedural lapses on the part of the institute leadership and local administrative machinery, who publicly celebrated the claim without conducting basic background checks. Sharma had been led to believe that his drone development initiative received a substantial funding allocation of Rs 3.5 crore under the Innovations for Defence Excellence framework. However, the narrative unraveled rapidly after defence authorities confirmed that no such financial assistance had ever been approved, shortly before the student sustained severe injuries from a fall at his hostel.
Forged Defence Seals and Elaborate Deception
Inquiries into the episode indicate that unknown fraudsters targeted the engineering student through falsified digital paperwork carrying official military insignia and stamps. These fabricated files claimed that the Defence Innovation Organisation had sanctioned Rs 3.5 crore to support his drone model tailored for armed forces applications. The reality surfaced only after officials from the Defence Innovation Organisation reached out to the polytechnic authorities to formally clarify that the documentation was completely bogus. Investigators are presently tracking the digital trail to identify the originators of these deceptive communications. Crucially, law enforcement is also checking whether cash prizes previously awarded to Sharma at IIT Roorkee were siphoned off or manipulated by the cybercriminals behind this racket.
Unchecked Claims Led to High-Level Recognition
The controversy has trained sharp scrutiny on the polytechnic administration and Hamirpur district authorities for failing to exercise basic due diligence. On September 23, the institute issued an official press release hailing the achievement and distributing photographs of the student alongside the principal and faculty members. District administrative officials, including the office of the Hamirpur Deputy Commissioner, failed to cross-check the claims with the defence establishment. Relying entirely on unverified assertions, the authorities arranged for the student to receive a public honour from Governor Kavinder Gupta. The lack of standard administrative verification prior to organizing a constitutional dignitary's felicitation has now raised uncomfortable questions regarding institutional oversight.
Fall From Hostel and Ongoing Medical Care
In the wake of the unraveling situation, Sharma fell from the third floor of his student residence under unclear circumstances, suffering multiple trauma injuries. Following initial emergency treatment at Hamirpur Medical College, he was referred to PGI Chandigarh on Wednesday, October 27, where medical specialists are preparing him for jaw reconstructive surgery. Amid the incident, malicious rumors regarding his condition began circulating online. Additional Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar Upadhyay issued a public clarification debunking false claims of the student's demise, urging citizens to refrain from spreading unverified posts on social platforms. The police official emphasized that Sharma is undergoing treatment and confirmed that preliminary facts point directly to cyber fraud.
Criminal Charges and Community Assistance
Police authorities have initiated formal criminal proceedings to dismantle the fraud network. An FIR has been registered under Sections 318(2), 319, and 336(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, alongside Sections 66C and 66D of the Information Technology Act. Forensic and investigative teams have inspected the hostel room from which the student fell to reconstruct the exact timeline. Meanwhile, support has emerged for the injured student and his family during their stay at the Chandigarh facility. Bhoranj MLA Suresh Kumar met with the family members at the hospital to provide moral encouragement and extended financial assistance of Rs 50,000. Additionally, social worker Chandra Sharma from Sarkaghat visited the medical facility to offer solidarity to the family.
