How the Rape Accused Exploit Bogus ‘Doctor’ Titles

• The Chilling Details of the PhD Scam

• Fake Doctorates and Criminal Cases

• Fraud Sagar Joshi and Ebiotorium Scandal Exposed

A Sprouts News Investigation led by Unmesh Padmakar Gujarathi has uncovered a disturbing PhD scam where even rape and fraud accused individuals acquire fake honorary doctorates to mislead the public. Fraud Sagar Ramakant Joshi, CMD of Ebiotorium Pvt. Ltd., is among those exposed, alongside facilitators like Madhu Krishan’s AUGP and Ghanshyam Kolambe’s Empower Trust. The case highlights the urgent need for regulatory action against bogus academic titles.

The Alleged Racket: The Sprouts investigative reports point to fraud Madhu Krishan and his fake American University of Global Peace (AUGP) as a source of fake honorary doctorates. The Empower Social and Educational Trust, led by fraud Ghanshyam Sakharam Kolambe, is also named as a facilitator.

The Recipients: Businessman Sagar Ramakant Joshi (CMD of Ebiotorium Pvt. Ltd.) is reported to have received such a doctorate and now uses the “Dr.” prefix. The reports also list other prominent figures, including spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and motivator Vivek Bindra, as alleged recipients.

The Investigators: This racket was exposed by the Sprouts Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by investigative journalist Unmesh Gujarathi.

A Sprouts News SIT investigation reveals how businessman Sagar Joshi, accused in multiple rape and fraud cases, acquired an honorary “Dr.” title from a questionable American university to whitewash his past and mislead the public with fraudulent health product claims.

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The “Dr.” Sagar Joshi Facade: Criminal Allegations Meet Fake Credentials

Businessman Sagar Ramakant Ramakant Joshi, Chairman and Managing Director of Ebiotorium Pvt. Ltd., is now parading as “Dr. Sagar Ramakant Joshi” after receiving an honorary doctorate from The American University of Global Peace (AUGP, USA). This credential was facilitated by the Empower Social and Educational Trust, led by fraud Ghanshyam Sakharam Kolambe.

An in-depth probe by the Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) reveals this title is a strategic maneuver to launder a reputation marred by a long history of serious criminal charges and deceptive business practices. The conferral of such an honor to an individual with multiple pending rape and cheating cases raises alarming questions about the integrity of the institutions involved.

This calculated rebranding effort is not merely a case of embellishment but a potentially dangerous deception aimed at the public. Joshi’s company, Ebiotorium, markets “magnetic mattresses” with unproven claims of curing diseases like cancer, targeting vulnerable patients. The “Dr.” prefix lends a false veneer of medical authority to these predatory schemes, misleading consumers and risking public health for corporate gain.

A Trail of Legal Troubles: Rape and Fraud Allegations

The facade of “Dr.” Joshi crumbles under the weight of his extensive legal record. In 2015, he was arrested and spent 11 months in jail on charges of rape under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code. A decade later, in 2025, a second rape case has been filed against him, indicating a deeply troubling and persistent pattern of alleged criminal behavior that contradicts the ethical stature his new title implies.

Beyond these grave allegations, Joshi faces a barrage of financial fraud charges. He is accused in multiple cases of cheating, including involvement in a “Ponzi Scheme” in Bangalore. Furthermore, consumer protection authorities have issued official notices against Ebiotorium Pvt. Ltd. for non-compliance with direct selling regulations, painting a picture of a business built on questionable legal and ethical foundations.

Also Read: GMC Jalgaon Dean Faces Nepotism Allegations in Ragging Probe Cover-Up.

The Doctorate for Sale: Exposing the AUGP and Empower Trust Nexus

The investigation into the title’s origin uncovers a sophisticated ecosystem for the sale of fake honors. The American University of Global Peace (AUGP) and the Empower Trust, led by fraud Ghanshyam Kolambe, are at the heart of this scandal. Reports indicate the trust has sold hundreds of such doctorates across India, creating a facade of legitimacy by inviting VIPs, consulate officials, and political leaders to their award ceremonies.

Fraud Sagar Ramakant Joshi received his honorary doctorate at an Empower Trust event where former Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar was also honored, a tactic used to project authenticity. Evidence gathered by the Sprouts News Investigation Team suggests that Ebiotorium was a sponsor of such events, strongly indicating that these awards and titles were purchased for monetary gain rather than earned through merit. This calls into serious question the credibility of AUGP founder Madhu Krishan, who failed to conduct basic background checks on a recipient with such a notorious public record.

Weaponizing Deception: Misleading Marketing and Public Exploitation

Armed with his new title, Joshi has intensified campaigns to mislead the public. A key strategy involves gifting his company’s magnetic mattresses to politicians and celebrities, then circulating photographs to falsely imply official endorsements. This manipulative PR tactic is designed to build trust and credibility where none is warranted by the product’s unverified medical claims.

Simultaneously, Ebiotorium boldly claims to be a “No. 1 Direct Selling Company” and ranks among India’s top firms, accolades it reportedly received at the same purchased-award events. These claims are made despite the company being under active scrutiny and facing consumer notices. The entire operation preys on ordinary citizens who are impressed by titles and photographs with influential figures, leading them to invest in fraudulent health products and schemes.

Systemic Failure and The Urgent Need for Accountability

The Sagar Ramakant Joshi case is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a larger, systemic failure. It exposes how easily academic honors can be commodified to whitewash criminal histories and enable fraudulent business practices. The critical question remains: why are institutions like AUGP and Empower Trust allowed to operate with impunity, selling credentials that endanger public trust and health?

There is an urgent need for a thorough investigation by relevant educational and law enforcement agencies into this titular-for-cash nexus. Regulatory bodies must also crack down on misleading health claims that exploit vulnerable patients. Without strict accountability and enforcement, unqualified individuals posing as “doctors” will continue to damage public health and devalue genuine academic achievement, eroding the very foundations of trust in society.

Sprouts’ appeals to the public to beware of this racket- unless fake image-building is your thing.

Roster of Fraudsters: Beware of these individuals selling bogus PhD degrees. Contact the police immediately if you have been scammed:

Maharshi Keshvananda, Anil Nair Thampi, Dinesh Kishor Gupta, Akepe Linus Enobi, Avinash Pawar, Joseph Legend Mfon, Musharrof Hossain, Vivek Choudhari- ESRDS, Siddic A Muhammed (Dubai), Kalyanji Jana, Riyas Sulaima Lebbe, Francisco Sardinha, Pawan Kumar Dhoot, Dnyaneshwar Yashwant Sapkal, Sundari Thakur, Madhu Krishan, Ghanshyam Sakharam Kolambe, Peeyush Pandit, Abhishek Pandey, Mahendra Shamkant Deshpande (Nashik-Saputara-Gujarat), Lal Bahadur Rana (Nepal), Sunil Singh Pardeshi, Mangesh Deshmukh, Nareshchandra Kathole- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh IAS Academy, Amravati, Kishor Baliram Patil- (Bhivandi- reporter), Vishwas Arote (Akole- reporter), Surykant Rawool, Tarvinder Singh, Kiran Bongale (Sangli), Anwar Sheikh (Pune), BuAbdullah, Lokesh Muni (Ahinsa Vishwa Bharati ), Kavita Bajaj and Mansukh Damji Tank – (Rajkumar Tank), Gaurav Shah- BJP, Anajni Kumar- Delhi, Anwar Shaikh (Pune ), Harshad Madhukar Sangle (Pune) & Dnyaneshwar Yashwant Sapkal.

List of fake universities awarding bogus PhD degrees:

► Gandhi Peace Foundation Nepal
► World Culture and Environment Protection Commission
► The George Washington University of Peace, United States of America
► American East Coast University
► Socrates Social Research University
► World Human Rights Protection Commission (WHPRC)
► World Peace of United Nations University
► Mount Elbert Central University
► Maryland State University
► The University of Macaria
► Theophany University
► The Open International University of Complementary Medicine, Sri Lanka
► University of America Hawaii and Inox International University
► World Mystic Science Institute (OPC) Private Limited
► University of South America
► Southwestern American University
► The American University, USA
► Zoroastrian University
► Vinayaka Missions Singhania
► Adi Shankar Vedic University, Netherlands
► American Heritage University of Southern California (AHUSC)
► Peace University
► Global Human Rights Trust (GHRT)
► Trinity World University, UK
► St Mother Teresa University
► American University of Global Peace
► Jeeva Theological Open University
► World Peace Institute of United Nations
► Global Human Peace University
► Bharat Virtual University for Peace and Education
► National Global Peace University
► Ballsbridge University
► International Open University of Humanity Health, Science and Peace, USA
► Harshal University
► International Internship University
► British National University of Queen Mary
► Jordan River University
► Boston Imperial University
► Dayspring Christian University
► South Western American University
► Global Triumph Virtual University
► Vikramshila Hindi Vidyapeeth
► Jnana Deepa University (Pune)
► Oxfaa University
► Mount Elbert Central University
► Maa Bhuvaneshwari International University
► The Institute of Entrepreneurship and Management Studies (IEMS)
► Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon
► Central Christian University
► Azteca University
► University of Swahili
► Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Lok Vidyapith, Amravati
► International Human Rights Ambassador International Peace Corps Association
► Indo Global University, Hyderabad
► Mount Elbert Central University
► McSTEM Eduversity, USA
► Social Awareness and Peace University
► Indian School of Management and Studies
► Socrates Social Research University
► International Global Peace University
► Ballsbridge University
► Commonwealth of Dominica
► International Anti-corruption and Human Rights Council
► Bharat Virtual University
► Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hindi Vidyapith
► The George Washington University of Peace
► Asia Vedic Culture Research University
► Magic Book of Record
► European Digital University (EDU)
► Hessen International University
► Chicago Open University
► Global Conclave Virtual University
► Global Cocord Virtual University
► Cambridge Digital of University
► America Internation University (AIU)

List of NGOs giving fake awards and degrees:

► Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Awards Film Organisation
► Shri Dadasaheb Phalke International Award Film Foundation
► World Human Protection Commission
► Mahatma Gandhi Global Peace Foundation
► Empower Social and Education Trust
► Nelson Mandela Nobel Award Academy
► Diplomatic Mission Global Peace

END OF REPORT

Sprouts News SIT is committed to continuing this investigation. If you have any information related to degree fraud, please contact us confidentially on 9322755098 contact number.