Fake fire NOCs issue Investigation into 176 more colleges

Hyderabad : The police investigation into fake Fire NOCs submitted by junior colleges is ongoing. HYDRA officials have handed over a list of 48 more colleges to the police as part of the investigation.So far, HYDRA has identified 56 colleges that allegedly submitted fake Fire No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and is currently verifying documents submitted by another 176 colleges.According to officials, HYDRA issues Fire NOCs only for buildings up to five floors. However, the investigation found that several colleges allegedly submitted forged NOCs to the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education without even applying to HYDRA for approval. Police suspect that fake NOCs were prepared using a common modus operandi. The investigation also revealed that the signatures of former officials from GHMC, HYDRA, and the Fire Department were allegedly forged on the fake certificates.Sources said college managements are suspected to have paid between ₹6 lakh and ₹10 lakh per institution to obtain the forged documents.Police believe that questioning the managements of the colleges concerned could help uncover the full extent of the scam. Based on the findings of the HYDRA report and the ongoing police investigation, criminal cases may be registered against those found responsible.