Bar on conferring granting or issuing degrees, diplomas or certificates by unathorized institutions.

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other State law for the time being in force, no person or institution, other than University, shall confer, grant or issue or hold himself or itself out as entitled to confer, grant or issue any degree, diploma or certificate in the specialized area of knowledge assigned to it within the territorial jurisdiction of University which is identical with or is a colourable imitation of any degree, diploma or certificate conferred, granted or issued by University. (2) The contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1) shall be a cognizable offence punishable with imprisonment upto two years or with fine upto Rs. 2,000 or with both and shall also be dealt with as per the Regulations laid down in this regard keeping in view the orders and guidelines issued by the competent authorities and academic bodies such as the Government and the University Grants Commission. (3) Where an offence under this section has been committed by a college or an institution, every person incharge of and responsible to the college or an institution for the conduct of its business at the time of the commission of the offence, shall be liable for the offence and shall also be liable to be proceeded against as per Regulations. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (2), where an offence under this section has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or that the commission of the offence is attributable to any neglect on the part of any partner, director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such partner, director, manager, secretary or other officer shall be liable for the offence and shall also be liable to be proceeded against by the University as per Regulations. Explanation.- For the purpose of this section ‘company’ means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals.