State Yoga Council cancels 24 practitioners over fraudulent certifications

The State Yoga Council has canceled the registrations of 24 yoga practitioners after investigations revealed widespread irregularities in the certification process. The practitioners were found to have received fake certifications without meeting eligibility criteria or undergoing legitimate examinations, as mandated by the council.

The corruption came to light following a complaint lodged with the Governor, prompting Swasthya Bhavan to launch a detailed investigation. On August 27, Swasthya Bhavan requested a report from the council. The findings revealed that the first phase of examinations, claimed to have been conducted on September 1, never took place. Despite this, certifications were issued, raising serious concerns about procedural violations.

Further discrepancies were discovered in the examinations held between January 13 and January 20. Applicants were required to submit certificates verifying prior experience in yoga. However, it was revealed that the former registrar, Shubhra Bhattacharya, had personally signed these experience certificates for multiple candidates, bypassing established norms. Bhattacharya was also found to have overseen the examinations, leading to questions about the integrity of the process.

Council President Tushar Shil admitted that irregularities occurred and claimed he was unaware of the malpractice at the time. Bhattacharya, however, denied any wrongdoing and accused Shil of involvement. The conflicting statements have added another layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.

The council has directed the 24 practitioners to return their fraudulent certificates within seven days. Swasthya Bhavan’s report highlights substantial evidence of malpractice and procedural violations, prompting further investigations to identify additional individuals who may have been involved or benefitted from the scam. The findings have raised serious questions about the governance and transparency of the State Yoga Council’s operations.