New Delhi 20 Feb, : The fraudulent admission of students under the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota has become a widespread issue across the country, with reports suggesting it is a well-organized scam operating at multiple levels.
There is an urgent need for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to step in and conduct a nationwide probe, questioning medical colleges and uncovering the full extent of this racket. The modus operandi of these fraudulent admissions needs to be thoroughly examined to identify the key players and the tactics used to exploit the system. This is not just a regional issue but a large-scale scam that has deep roots across the nation.
ED Cracks Down on NRI Quota Fraud in Bengal
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at six locations in West Bengal on Thursday in connection with alleged irregularities in medical college admissions under the NRI quota. The searches were primarily concentrated in and around Kolkata, with operations extending to North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas districts.
According to sources, the raids were carried out following a complaint registered at a police station on the northern outskirts of Kolkata. The complaint alleged that fake NRI certificates were used to secure admissions in private medical colleges, allowing ineligible candidates to enroll under the reserved quota. Investigators suspect that these fraudulent admissions were facilitated in exchange for hefty cash payments.
Ongoing Investigation Targets Private Medical Colleges
As of the time of reporting, the ED had identified at least eight private medical colleges in West Bengal that were allegedly involved in the scam. Each raid team was accompanied by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel to ensure security and prevent interference in the operation.
Not the First Crackdown
This is not the first time the ED has investigated NRI quota admission fraud in the state. A similar operation was carried out in December last year, during which multiple locations were raided, including Salt Lake, Haldia (East Midnapore), Durgapur (West Burdwan), Budge Budge (South 24 Parganas), and Birbhum.
During the previous round of raids, the ED had searched the residence of former CPI(M) MP Lakshman Seth in Haldia. Seth runs an NGO that manages private medical and dental colleges in the region. In Birbhum, the investigation led to a private medical college owned by businessman Malay Pith, whose name had earlier surfaced in the high-profile cattle smuggling case in Bengal.
Political Storm Over Allegations
The controversy surrounding NRI quota admissions was first brought to light by West Bengal’s Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, in September last year. Adhikari accused private medical colleges of selling seats in exchange for large sums of money, alleging that many admissions were secured using forged NRI certificates. He also claimed that senior officials within the state health department were complicit in the scam.
With the ED intensifying its probe, the investigation is expected to reveal more details about the individuals and institutions involved in this large-scale fraud. The case has once again raised serious concerns over corruption in medical education and the exploitation of reserved quotas for financial gain.