Gold Medal Scam
Rocks D.Y. Patil Ayurvedic College
• Gold Medal or Gifted Favor?
• Sprouts SIT Exposes Shocking Irregularities
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
The controversy surrounding D.Y. Patil Ayurvedic College refuses to die down. After previous exposés involving fake certificates of the controversial Dean Mahesh Kumar Harit and financial irregularities in the AYUSH conference, Sprouts News’ Special Investigation Team (SIT) has now unearthed yet another serious scam — this time, related to academic corruption in the form of marks manipulation and fraudulent awarding of a Gold Medal.
In the recently conducted March postgraduate exams (M.D. and M.S.) by the university, a student from the Shalakya Tantra department, Srishti Vyas, reportedly scored an astonishing 76% in theory and 99% in practicals, making her eligible for the prestigious Gold Medal. However, this result has sparked widespread unrest among fellow students, who allege deep-rooted favoritism and mark tampering.
According to inside information obtained by Sprouts SIT, the student in question is reportedly a close relative of Dr. Mahesh Vyas, the Dean of the All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi. Dr. Vyas is known to have a long-standing and politically influential connection with Dean Mahesh Kumar Harit, whose name has appeared multiple times in previous controversies. It is being widely discussed among students that this medal was pre-decided, even before the exams were conducted.
Sprouts SIT’s investigation has revealed that despite the practical exam involving multiple assessments and components, scoring 99% is virtually impossible without manipulation. Students claim that the answer script and practical performance were possibly pre-scripted under the guidance of Dean Harit, and that the awarding of marks was merely a formality carried out to fulfill a prior arrangement.
This alleged misuse of power and favoritism has triggered outrage among students who believe that more deserving candidates have been sidelined. “How can anyone get 99% in such a diverse practical exam? On what grounds did the examiners award these marks?” asked one of the aggrieved students.
Many students are now demanding an independent and impartial investigation into the examiners and the examination process, especially into the role played by Dean Mahesh Kumar Harit. There are also claims that similar gold medal manipulations have occurred in the past under the same Dean’s tenure.
Sprouts News strongly demands that authorities launch a transparent inquiry into this scandal, ensure justice to meritorious students, and take strict action against those involved in such academic frauds.
Sprouts News has always stood against corruption and favoritism in the education system, and we strongly oppose the manipulative tactics used by influential networks, including those backed by powerful bodies like the Adani Group. Sprouts supports honest students and will continue to fight for the rights of those wronged by corrupt systems.
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• UGC Takes Cognizance of Sprouts’ Exclusive Report
In a major development following a series of explosive reports by Sprouts News, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has finally taken cognizance of the shocking revelations about bogus academic credentials of Dr. Mahesh Kumar Harit, the acting Dean of the School of Ayurveda at D.Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai.
The Sprouts Special Investigation Team had earlier uncovered, through a series of Right to Information (RTI) requests, that Harit’s certificates — from SSC to his medical degree — are completely fake. Despite this, he has been heading the Ayurveda college and teaching hundreds of students for several years.
The scandal, which triggered outrage among students, academicians, and parents alike, was brought to light through persistent investigative reporting by Sprouts. Numerous complaints followed the publication of these reports, leading to mounting pressure on regulatory authorities.
Acting on these complaints, the UGC has now issued a directive to D.Y. Patil University to take immediate and appropriate action against Harit. The university administration is now in a tight spot, caught between growing public outrage and mounting pressure from national regulatory bodies.
In a related concern, Dr. Dilip Wange, the Registrar of the Maharashtra Council of Indian Medicine (MCIM), is also under scrutiny. Despite being aware of Harit’s fraudulent documents, Dr. Wange allegedly issued and renewed Harit’s medical registration multiple times. Sprouts had previously exposed this corrupt practice, but no action has been taken against Wange so far.
The Sprouts Investigation Team has consistently reported on the corrupt practices within MCIM, highlighting how deep-rooted connections, including “money relations” with influential individuals in Raj Bhavan, have allowed the rot to persist unchecked.
Once again, Sprouts News stands firmly in its commitment to fearless journalism — exposing systemic corruption, fighting for academic integrity, and holding those in power accountable. The impact of this investigation is a victory for truth, and a warning to those who think they can misuse the education system with impunity.