February 21st 2025.
Officials from the Enforcement Directorate have recently begun investigating a scandal involving private medical colleges in West Bengal and their use of the Non-Resident Indian quota. This investigation was prompted by specific evidence that was brought to the attention of the agency.
Sources reveal that the new angle of the investigation revolves around the possible involvement of influential figures. This is supported by evidence of communication between the leaders of the scandal and certain politically powerful individuals, as well as suspicious bank transactions. The investigating officials already have some leads in this regard.
Additionally, the officials have uncovered connections between some of the candidates who gained admission through this quota and politically influential families, despite not being NRIs. The focus of the investigation is on eight private medical colleges and hospitals in the state, with evidence suggesting that these institutions were involved in fraudulent activities in exchange for large sums of money.
The investigation was initiated in December of last year, after a complaint was filed at a local police station in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. Since then, the ED has conducted two extensive raids with the latest one taking place on Thursday. The first raid was carried out in December last year, targeting multiple locations including the residences of two influential political figures.
In another instance, a raid was conducted at the residence of former CPI Lok Sabha member Lakshman Seth in Haldia, where he runs an NGO that operates private medical and dental colleges. In Birbhum, the ED is currently conducting a raid at a private medical college owned by businessman Malay Pith, who has previously been linked to a multi-crore cattle smuggling case.
This 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, back in September of last year. Adhikari had alleged that there were numerous instances of corruption and bribery involved in these admissions, including the use of fake certificates. He also accused several high-ranking officials from the state health department of being involved in the scandal.
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