Guwahati, Feb. 28 -- A group of prominent Muslim citizens, including former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi and former Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing deep concern over the arrest of Mahbabul Hoque, chancellor of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) by the Assam Police.

Hoque was arrested from his Guwahati residence last Saturday, allegedly for his involvement in a network that lured students with promises of high marks through fraudulent means, as claimed by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The group, part of the civil society organization 'Citizens For Fraternity', has termed Hoque's arrest as "pure vendetta" and urged PM Modi to ensure just...