Students Spread Fake News of Principal's Death to Delay Exams in Indore

The Fake Death Notice Goes Viral

On October 14, 2025, two third-semester Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) students—identified as Mayank Kachhawa of Scheme No. 78 and Himanshu Jaiswal of Malwa Mill—created a fraudulent letter claiming the sudden demise of Principal Dr. Anamika Jain. The letter, titled "Important Information," was designed using the college's official letterhead and stated that online Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) exams scheduled for October 15-16 had been postponed due to the principal's death.​

The message spread rapidly across WhatsApp and other social media platforms, causing widespread confusion and panic among the college's approximately 12,000 students and faculty members. Many believed the news to be genuine and contacted Dr. Jain's family to offer condolences.

Principal Receives Shock Condolence Calls

The gravity of the situation became apparent when Dr. Jain started receiving concerned calls and messages around 10:30 PM on October 14. A student messaged her asking, "Ma'am, how are you? The message about your death is going viral?". Shocked and confused, the principal immediately clarified that she was alive and well. However, several professors and college staff members had already rushed to her residence fearing the worst.

"My family and I are extremely distressed after this fake letter was circulated on social media. Believing the letter to be genuine, many people even visited my home to express their condolences," Dr. Jain stated in her complaint.

Police Register FIR Under Forgery Charges

Following Dr. Jain's written complaint, Bhanwarkuan police registered an FIR on Wednesday night against the two accused students. The case was filed under Section 336(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for intentionally fabricating a false document with intent to defame a person. If convicted, the students could face imprisonment of up to three years along with a fine.

Bhanwarkuan police station in-charge Rajkumar Yadav confirmed that preliminary investigation revealed the students created and circulated the fake notice specifically to disrupt the examination schedule. "The accused fabricated the letter using the institute's official letterhead format and deliberately circulated it online to halt exams," Yadav explained.

Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya added, "This incident appears to be an attempt to disrupt the educational atmosphere by spreading false rumors through social media. We are examining their mobile phones and social media accounts to uncover the full extent of their involvement".

College Suspends Students for 60 Days

The college administration took swift disciplinary action against both students. Principal Dr. Jain confirmed that the college's disciplinary committee unanimously decided to suspend Mayank and Himanshu for 60 days. "The students have admitted their mistake in writing. Further action will depend on the outcome of the police investigation and court proceedings," she stated.

During the investigation, police confiscated the students' mobile phones, with one accused reportedly deleting all WhatsApp data before being apprehended.

A 134-Year-Old Institution's Reputation at Stake

Government Holkar Science College, established in 1891 by Shivaji Rao Holkar, is one of the oldest and most prestigious science colleges in Central India. The institution currently has approximately 12,000 to 15,000 students.

College officials described the incident as a severe breach of trust that undermined the institution's reputation. "This kind of behaviour not only damages our institution's reputation but also the credibility of students at large. The misuse of social media in this manner is deeply concerning," said Professor Sanjay Vyas.

Principal Urges Students to Verify Information

Dr. Anamika Jain expressed deep distress over the incident and urged students to exercise caution on social media. "This was not a prank—it was a criminal act that caused emotional trauma to me and my family. I have requested strict action so that such incidents never happen again," she emphasized.

The principal also hinted at ongoing harassment, stating without naming anyone that "some disgruntled elements in the college have been harassing her through various malicious activities in an attempt to prevent her from discharging her official duties".

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of spreading misinformation on social media and the serious legal consequences that can follow. As the investigation continues, the case highlights the need for digital literacy and responsible social media usage among students.