Indore: Two students of a government college in Indore have been booked for allegedly creating and circulating a fake letter claiming the “death” of their principal to stall exams, a police official said on Thursday.

The case was registered on Wednesday night at Bhanwarkuan police station following a complaint from Dr Anamika Jain, principal of Government Holkar Science College. The FIR cites Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) section 336(4), which pertains to intentionally fabricating a false document with intent to defame a person and carries imprisonment of up to three years and a fine if convicted.

According to police, the two third-semester Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) students created the false letter on October 14, allegedly as part of a conspiracy to halt online exams and postpone classes. The letter, titled “Important Information,” copied the college letterhead and stated that online exams scheduled for October 15-16 were postponed due to the “sudden demise” of Principal Jain, and that classes for all subjects were suspended.

Dr Jain told PTI, “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.” She urged strict legal action against the accused to prevent such incidents in the future.

Without naming anyone, the principal alleged that some disgruntled elements in the college have been harassing her through various malicious activities aimed at preventing her from performing her official duties.