After 18 years, identical twins who used the same papers to get jobs caught

BHOPAL: Long before Vyapam scam put Madhya Pradesh on the national map for systemic corruption in recruitment, a quieter, more cunning fraud was already underway in state government schools.

In Damoh district, two twin sisters - identical not just in appearance but also, shockingly, in identity - had already slipped through the cracks. Using the same BA final-year marksheet and the same name, they each secured government teaching jobs in separate schools, said officials.

For 18 years, they took classes, earned promotions, drew salaries totalling over Rs 1.6 crore - without raising a single red flag. What unfolded in silence for nearly two decades is now erupting as one of the most audacious educational frauds in the state's history. If Vyapam was the scandal that exposed the scale of corruption, this case is a reminder of how it had quietly taken root long before the headlines began, say officials.

Ironically, the alleged fraud came to light when both sisters, each identifying herself as Rashmi, applied for a transfer to the same school. Education department officials noticed the duplication in credentials and launched an inquiry, say sources.

One of the sisters, Rashmi, wife of Deependra, has since been suspended. Her twin, Rashmi, wife of Vijay, disappeared soon after and is said to be absconding. Repeated attempts to serve her official notices failed - a final notice has been pasted at her home.

This case only seems to be the tip of the iceberg. The education department's probe widened and revealed that at least 19 government school teachers in Damoh had secured jobs using fake, forged, or suspicious educational documents . Three of them have been dismissed so far. The remaining 16 continue to teach, draw salaries and interact with students.

Among those implicated are Neelam Tiwari and Asha Mishra, also related - sisters-in-law - who were found to have submitted fake DEd certificates. Both were posted in different schools within the district, and their shared familial link only deepened suspicions of collusion, say officials. Investigators confirmed that their documentation was fabricated, yet no punitive action has been taken against them so far.

Another case involves a teacher named Prabhudayal Patel, posted at Bakeni Middle School. When called for a hearing by the Directorate of Public Instruction, he cited his father's recent death to stay away. However, records showed that his father had passed away on Dec 30, 2024. When summoned again on May 2, Patel claimed he was observing the death anniversary. Officials noted that the excuses were not only false but strategically crafted to buy time & stall proceedings.

Another teacher, whose D.Ed certificate is under scrutiny, managed to get himself transferred to Satna district just as the investigation was closing in on him. He allegedly enjoys close ties with a cabinet minister and is using political connections to evade action.

Multiple complaints about the suspected teachers had been submitted to various authorities - including the directorate of public instruction in Bhopal, joint director in Jabalpur, and district education officer, Damoh. However, no significant action was taken at any level.

The matter eventually reached MP high court, which ordered the department to take strict action against all accused teachers by April 9, 2025. That deadline has now passed, yet 16 teachers with confirmed or pending irregularities allegedly remain in active service. According to official estimates, these 19 teachers have collectively drawn nearly Rs 22.9 crore in salaries over service periods ranging from 15 to 23 years.