GUWAHATI: The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Assam Police has launched an investigation into suspected fake Class X pass certificates allegedly issued in the name of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE).

The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB), Division-II, has identified 4,934 students who allegedly secured admission to Class XI using such certificates over the past two academic sessions.

Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu said students found to have obtained admission using forged certificates would lose their seats. He also indicated that a majority of the suspected cases had been reported from Nagaon district.

The development has raised serious concerns over the verification process followed during admissions to higher secondary classes in the state.

The CID is investigating the suspected forgery to identify those involved and establish how the certificates were used to secure admission to educational institutions.