India, May 8 -- Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil has directed officials to register criminal cases against educational institutions that allegedly cheat students by offering unauthorised courses and fake degrees, asserting that protecting students' educational interests remains the government's top priority.

The directions were issued after Patil reviewed an alleged fraud case involving Dr Baliram Hire College in Bandra East, where more than 132 students were reportedly admitted to courses that did not have the required approvals from competent authorities.

During the review meeting, Patil said the institution had permission to run a specific architecture course, but was also allegedly conducting courses that la...