In the affidavit, Dhavalikar mentioned he had completed his SSCE from A J De Almeida High School, Ponda in 1975 and had received a BSc degree from Smt Parvatibai Chowgule College, Margao (Bombay University) in 1980.
A day after the party questioned the minister and his educational qualification, Dhavalikar released a copy of a certificate from the university with April 1978 as the year of passing the BSc (Subsidary) examination, contradicting the minister’s affidavit that lists 1980 as year of passing.
Further, documents provided by Chowgule College showing a list of students that had passed out from the college having completed the BSc course in the year 1980, 1979 and 1978 does not contain Dhavalikar’s name.
Copies of mark sheets obtained from the University of Bombay from the BSc exam in April 1979 and October 1979 do list Dhavalikar’s name as having answered the exam but in both cases had resulted in grade F, or fail.
Speaking to media persons after revealing the documents, AAP secretary Valmiki Naik said, “This is a case of forgery and we demand a strict investigation with special supervision by the High Court. We are not alleging that it is a fake but are only pointing out the inconsistencies in what the minister has said.”
Denying any backhand involvement of party outsiders, member of AAP’s National Disciplinary committee Dinesh Vaghela said the election commission should take increased interest in sworn affidavits submitted by ministers asking also for the Chief Minister to “take cognizance of the matter and remove him from the cabinet immediately, and direct an independent impartial investigation under the supervision of the High Court.”
The party has also announced it would be filing an FIR with the police adding that if found guilty, it could lead to several years of imprisonment.
