Synopsis
The ED is investigating a major scam involving influential connections in the irregular admissions of private medical colleges in West Bengal under the NRI quota, sparked by substantial evidence and complaints.Key Takeaways
- ED investigates a medical admission scam.
- Involvement of politically influential individuals.
- Eight private medical colleges under scrutiny.
- Investigations began following a local police complaint.
- Potential fraudulent admissions linked to cash transactions.
Kolkata, Feb 21 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated an investigation into the high-profile connections of a syndicate implicated in significant irregularities related to admissions in private medical colleges across West Bengal under the Non-Resident Indian (NRI) quota.
This investigation was triggered by specific leads obtained by the agency.
According to sources, this new inquiry into the influential connections is driven by two main factors: the first being communications between the masterminds of the racket and certain local politically influential individuals, and the second being suspicious bank transactions linked to this scheme, details of which are already in the possession of the investigators.
Moreover, the officials have traced connections to politically powerful families of candidates who allegedly gained admissions through this quota despite not being NRIs.
Currently, eight private medical colleges and hospitals in the state are under scrutiny by ED officials. The investigation is based on credible information indicating that these irregularities were conducted in exchange for substantial cash payments.
The inquiry commenced in December of the previous year following a formal complaint lodged at a local police station on the northern outskirts of Kolkata.
Since then, there have been two extensive rounds of raids conducted by the ED, with the most recent occurring on Thursday. In December, similar operations were executed at various locations throughout the state, including the residences of two politically influential figures.
In the industrial township of Haldia in the East Midnapore district, the ED carried out operations at the home of former CPI(M) Lok Sabha member Lakshman Seth, who manages an NGO overseeing private medical and dental colleges in Haldia.
In Birbhum, the private medical college under investigation is owned by businessman Malay Pith, who first gained notoriety in connection with a major cattle smuggling scandal in West Bengal.
The issue of irregularities in medical admissions under the NRI quota was first raised by Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, in September of the previous year.
He claimed that numerous admissions were marred by severe irregularities involving substantial cash transactions, including those facilitated by counterfeit certificates. Adhikari also implicated certain senior officials associated with the state health department in this scandal.
