Sources say when asked for producing the original certificate issued by the Board, Singhi Ram told police that he had returned the certificate to the then chairman of the Board, B.R. Rahi, on October 28, 2006. He claimed that though there was no written correspondence with the Board, the chairman had sent two officials to Shahpur rest house (where the minister was staying on October 28) for collecting the certificate, saying it had to be scrutinised due to questions raised over it.

Later, since the Board did not return the certificate, Upma, said Singhi, left Lady Shri Ram College in 2006, where she was admitted on the basis of this certificate. Later, in 2007, she took admission on the basis of a Class XII marks sheet of National Open School in Jesus and Mary College of Delhi University.

Police said after the Special Judge decides on the bail application of Upma and Singhi Ram on March 24, B.R. Rahi would also be questioned in the case, including the other officials who Singhi Ram claims had collected the fake marks sheet from him.

Upma, who also turned up for interrogation, claimed she had appeared for the Class XII exam of the HP Board in March 2005 at Senior Secondary School, Portmore, as a private candidate. She also did not deny that she was a student of Lawrence School, Sanawar, in the same year.