The Anandpur Sahib police on Saturday arrested Sonu Walia, principal of Shri Dasmesh Academy, Anandpur Sahib, in connection with a case involving allegations that she submitted and used a fake PhD degree and misrepresented her academic qualifications to secure the post.Ropar SSP Maninder Singh confirmed the arrest when contacted and said further investigation into the case was in progress. Sources said the principal was arrested from Ludhiana.An FIR had earlier been registered against Sonu Walia at the Anandpur Sahib police station under Sections 419 and 420 of the IPC. According to the FIR, the alleged offences relate to the period between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2024.The case stems from a complaint filed by Bindu Sharma and others, who alleged discrepancies in the academic qualifications claimed by the principal.Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains ordered an inquiry into the case after receiving the complaint against the principal. Acting on his directions, Ropar DC Aditya Dachalwal constituted an inquiry committee headed by the SP, Ropar. The committee also comprised the District Education Officer (Secondary), Ropar; the SDM, Anandpur Sahib; and the DSP, Anandpur Sahib.After examining the allegations, the committee submitted its report to SSP, Ropar, Maninder Singh, who subsequently ordered the registration of the FIR.According to the complaint, Sonu Walia had claimed in her resume and curriculum vitae that she possessed a PhD in Cancer Cytogenetics from Punjabi University, Patiala. However, during verification of her credentials, doubts were reportedly raised regarding the authenticity and status of the degree.The complaint alleges that while certain documents projected the qualification as a completed PhD, other records described it as “PhD (Pursuing),” leading to allegations that her academic credentials had been misrepresented.The FIR also refers to an administrative inquiry into the principal’s eligibility and qualifications. During the inquiry, the District Education Officer (Secondary), Ropar, reportedly sought verification of her academic qualifications and related records from the school management.According to the police complaint, despite repeated directions, the principal and the school management allegedly failed to furnish the required eligibility and qualification certificates. A final show-cause notice was subsequently issued, but the requisite documents were still not produced, the complaint states.Besides the issue relating to the alleged fake PhD degree, the complaint also raises allegations of administrative irregularities in the functioning and management of the institution.The FIR states that the Education Minister had also sought a special audit and investigation into the allegations and directed the police authorities to probe the alleged fake PhD degree and related records.The complainants had also sought the seizure and preservation of original academic and eligibility certificates, appointment and service records, correspondence relating to qualifications, institutional records, and digital data to prevent any possible destruction, alteration, or tampering of evidence during the investigation.Police officials said further investigation was underway and additional evidence was being collected in the case.