Fake Doctorate Scam in Mumbai: Pawan Kumar Bhoot, Ganpat Kothari and ‘American East Coast University’ Under Scanner

A fake doctorate scam in Mumbai has come under scrutiny after an event distributed honorary PhD titles under the name “American East Coast University”, an institution with no traceable regulatory recognition. Public records show no credible accreditation or statutory listing for the entity in the United States or India. Reports also link organisers to earlier vanity award programmes. Education law experts reiterate that only recognised universities can legally confer degrees. The case highlights rising misuse of academic titles and growing concerns over fake honorary doctorate networks in India.

The programme reportedly involved the distribution of honorary doctorates and PhD titles at a ceremonial function designed to resemble a formal university convocation. Participants were awarded certificates bearing foreign sounding institutional branding.

Public domain verification shows no credible listing of American East Coast University with recognised higher education regulators in the United States or India. No campus records, statutory approvals or accreditation data are traceable.

Alleged fraudster Ganpat Kothari, Chairman of Kothari Group and President of the Rajasthan Foundation’s Mumbai Chapter, was also present at the event, according to multiple reports documenting similar networks.

Both Pawan Kumar Bhoot and Ganpat Kothari have previously been linked in reports to questionable award ceremonies and vanity recognition programmes that imitate formal academic honours.

Investigators say the pattern is consistent. Organisers host grand ceremonies, display international flags and seals, and confer titles that resemble legitimate doctoral awards to enhance perceived credibility.

Rise of Fake Honorary Doctorate Scams and Vanity Award Networks in India

India has witnessed a steady rise in fake honorary doctorate scams, vanity awards and unrecognised PhD programmes over the past decade. The trend capitalises on the social prestige attached to academic titles.

Education law experts clarify that only universities established by an Act of Parliament or State Legislature, or recognised foreign universities, can legally award degrees including honorary doctorates.

Private trusts, societies or unregistered international sounding bodies have no statutory authority to confer academic qualifications. Yet many such entities operate through professional looking websites and event marketing.

Investigations by the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team have earlier documented how networks allegedly operate through multiple entities, frequently changing names and domains to avoid sustained scrutiny.

The business model typically involves collecting fees for registration, robes, certificates and media publicity. Recipients receive documents that appear formal but lack regulatory recognition.

The University Grants Commission has repeatedly cautioned citizens against enrolling in or accepting degrees from unrecognised institutions. However, enforcement becomes complex when operations are routed through foreign jurisdictions or online platforms.

Legal Issues, Accreditation Claims and AI Driven Misinformation Concerns

Most entities linked to fake doctorate programmes reportedly cease functioning within two to three years. By then, funds have been collected and questionable titles distributed to unaware participants.

In this case, organisers claim to maintain an office in New York while referring to accreditation in Delaware. The State of Delaware does not act as an accrediting authority.

The institution’s name does not appear in recognised accreditation registries. In the United States, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation lists legitimate accrediting agencies for educational organisations.

The accreditations displayed on certain websites are not recognised under US higher education frameworks. Experts caution that impressive terminology does not substitute statutory validation.

Concerns have also emerged regarding artificial intelligence tools amplifying unauthorised accreditation information. Automated search results often replicate claims from private websites without independent verification.

A common reader may interpret repeated digital references as proof of authenticity. Policymakers warn that unchecked digital amplification can strengthen the reach of questionable academic claims.

Also Read: Madras HC Drops Dhurandhar Anti-Piracy Suit.

Related News: JJTU Among 10 Rajasthan Universities Under Fake Degree Probe.

Related News: Fake Honorary Doctorate Scam Exposed Across India.

Roster of Individuals and Institutions Flagged in Investigations

Reports have named individuals including Tapan Kumar Rautaray Rout, Madhu Krishan, Maharshi Keshvananda, Anil Nair Thampi, Dinesh Kishor Gupta, Akepe Linus Enobi, Avinash Pawar, Joseph Legend Mfon, Musharrof Hossain and Vivek Choudhari ESRDS.

Other names cited include Siddic A Muhammed Dubai, Kalyanji Jana, Riyas Sulaima Lebbe, Francisco Sardinha, Pawan Kumar Bhoot, Dnyaneshwar Yashwant Sapkal, Sundari Thakur and Ghanshyam Sakharam Kolambe Empower Social and Education Trust Dadar.

Further names include Peeyush Pandit Piyush Pandit, Abhishek Pandey, Mahendra Shamkant Deshpande Nashik Saputara Gujarat, Lal Bahadur Rana Nepal, Sunil Singh Pardeshi, Mangesh Deshmukh and Nareshchandra Kathole Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh IAS Academy Amravati.

The list also mentions Kishor Baliram Patil Bhivandi reporter, Vishwas Arote Akole reporter, Surykant Rawool, Tarvinder Singh, Kiran Bongale Sangli, Anwar Sheikh Pune and BuAbdullah.

Additional individuals include Lokesh Muni (Ahinsa Vishwa Bharati), Kavita Bajaj, Mansukh Damji Tank Rajkumar Tank, Gaurav Shah BJP, Anajni Kumar Delhi and Harshad Madhukar Sangle Pune.

Also named are Sandeep Marwah film producer, Sagar Ramakant Joshi Mira Bhayandar, Madhusudan Ghanekar (Pune) Dr Madhusudan Ghanekar Brahmadnyan Vidyapeeth, Dr P Yohan Guntur (Andhra Pradesh), Pedditi Yohanu Hyderabad and R K Gupta Managing Director and Vice Chancellor International.

Sreekumar N Director Marketing Mission of Modernization MOM, Dipak Harke and Ganpat Kothari are also included in investigative listings.

Institutions cited in reports include American East Coast University, Gandhi Peace Foundation Nepal, World Culture and Environment Protection Commission, The Honorary Doctorate Award Council HDAC and World Peace of United Nations University.

Other entities named are World Human Rights Protection Commission WHRPC, Royal American University Kerala, International Global Peace University, Adi Shankar Vedic University and Socrates Social Research University.

Further institutions include Mount Elbert Central University, Maryland State University, The Open International University of Complementary Medicine Sri Lanka, American Heritage University of Southern California AHUSC and Trinity World University UK.

NGOs referenced include Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Awards Film Organisation, Shri Dadasaheb Phalke International Award Film Foundation, World Human Protection Commission and Empower Social and Education Trust.

Why the Fake Doctorate Scam Matters for India’s Academic Credibility

The proliferation of fake PhD degrees and bogus universities damages India’s academic credibility at a time when global collaborations and foreign university partnerships are expanding.

For professionals, using an unrecognised doctoral title may result in reputational harm, professional disciplinary action or legal complications in regulated sectors.

Sprouts News urges citizens to verify institutional credentials through official regulatory databases before accepting honorary titles or participating in award ceremonies.

Readers with information relating to degree fraud are encouraged to contact investigative journalist Unmesh Gujarathi and his team confidentially at 9322755098 to protect academic integrity and public trust.