ED raids Lakshman Seth’s home and hospital in Bengal over NRI quota corruption allegations

On Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out coordinated raids at the residence of former MP Lakshman Seth and his private hospital, “I Care,” in connection with an investigation into alleged corruption linked to the NRI quota in medical college admissions. The ED’s action is part of an ongoing probe into financial irregularities and alleged malpractice in the management of medical admissions in private medical colleges in West Bengal.

Lakshman Seth, a former influential leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in the Haldia region, switched to the Congress Party after the end of Left Front rule. At present, he holds the position of state vice president in the West Bengal Congress. Seth's name emerged in the investigation following complaints related to corrupt practices in medical college admissions, specifically concerning the NRI quota.

In addition to Seth’s home and hospital, the ED also raided several other locations, including the residence of Jagannath Gupta, the owner of a medical college in Bajbaj, and a private medical college in Jadavpur. The ED’s investigations are focused on examining the financial transactions and operational procedures of the implicated medical colleges. The agency is also assessing whether any illegal activities took place in the management of NRI medical seats.

The raids are part of a broader investigation into the private medical sector in West Bengal. The ED is seeking to determine whether financial transactions were made in exchange for NRI quota seats, which are often a point of contention in medical admissions due to their perceived lack of transparency. The ongoing investigation follows multiple complaints submitted to the ED regarding alleged irregularities in the admissions process at various institutions.

As part of the ED’s probe, the agency is expected to examine records related to medical admissions, financial dealings, and any involvement of educational institutions in facilitating the illegal allocation of NRI quota seats. The agency has not yet released any specific findings or outcomes from the raids, but further actions are expected as the investigation progresses.

The raids also coincided with a scheduled football tournament at Haldia Medical College, where 20 medical colleges were set to compete. The event, which was to be inaugurated by Belgian football coach Philippe Indy Rider, was disrupted by the ED’s ongoing investigation. The ED’s focus on the corruption probe indicates the priority given to the investigation over other institutional events at the affected medical colleges.