ED raids Siliguri in fake NRI quota scam, cracks down on medical admission fraud

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted a raid in Siliguri’s Hakimpara as part of its probe into the alleged fake NRI quota admission scam in private medical colleges. The agency targeted the residence of a medical student suspected of securing admission using forged NRI certificates. This operation was part of a larger crackdown on irregularities in medical admissions across West Bengal. Six locations, including Kolkata, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas, were also searched. Officials confirmed that these raids were conducted following a specific complaint about fake NRI certificates being used for admissions in multiple private medical institutions.

According to sources, the investigation is focused on allegations that non-NRI students gained admission under the NRI quota through fraudulent documentation, facilitated in exchange for large sums of money. Several private medical colleges in West Bengal are under the ED’s scanner for suspected involvement in these irregularities. Officials stated that CAPF personnel escorted the ED teams during the operations. The agency is scrutinizing financial transactions linked to these admissions, suspecting unaccounted cash payments to secure seats. The raids are expected to reveal key evidence regarding individuals and institutions involved in the alleged scam.

This is not the first ED action in this case. In December last year, the agency carried out similar raids in Salt Lake, Haldia, Durgapur, Budge Budge, and Birbhum. In Haldia, a search was conducted at the residence of former CPI(M) MP Lakshman Seth, who runs an NGO operating medical and dental colleges. In Birbhum, the investigation extended to a private medical college linked to businessman Malay Pith, previously named in the cattle smuggling case. The NRI quota scam was first flagged by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in September last year, who alleged large-scale irregularities, including fake certificates and cash transactions, involving senior health department officials.