The Enforcement Directorate (ED) launches an investigation into a fake NRI quota scam in private medical colleges across West Bengal and Odisha, seizing over Rs 18 crore in assets.
New Delhi/Kolkata — July 2025 — The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with a fake NRI quota scam involving private medical colleges in West Bengal and Odisha. The investigation has led to the seizure of over ₹18 crore worth of assets, including fixed deposits and other assets.
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Scope of the Scam
The ED’s probe revealed that several private medical colleges colluded with agents to create false documentation—such as forged embassy papers and family trees—to present ineligible candidates as eligible NRIs, enabling their admission under the NRI quota for MBBS, MD, and MS courses. In multiple instances, the same NRI sponsor documents were used for two to three different students.
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Assets Seized So Far
- Rs. 12.33 crore in assets had already been attached before the latest operations.
- An additional Rs. 6. 42 crore in fixed deposit certificates held by a private medical college in West Bengal has now been provisionally attached.
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These seizures reflect the ED’s escalating crackdown on financial irregularities in admissions processes across the region.
Investigative Actions
ED officials conducted raids across both states, including locations in West Bengal and Odisha. They seized “incriminating evidence” and recorded statements from those involved. Notably, despite the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) flagging multiple forged NRI sponsor documents, state authorities failed to act, prompting further federal scrutiny.
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No Direct Political Involvement
Media reports and ED releases do not implicate Mamata Banerjee’s government or any political officeholders in the scam. The investigation currently targets alleged collusion between college management and private agents.
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Broader Context—Education Fraud in West Bengal
While ED attention over NRI quota fraud remains significant, the agency is also investigating other major scandals in West Bengal’s education sector. The West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) recruitment scam—which saw over 25,000 fraudulent teaching appointments cancelled by the courts—is under intense scrutiny, with property attachments totalling nearly Rs. 610 crore.
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What’s Next
The ED investigation into the NRI quota scam is ongoing, with the federal agency likely to expand its probe if additional irregularities or links to officials emerge. Meanwhile, affected students, institutions, and job aspirants will continue to navigate the fallout from these wide-reaching fraud cases.
Key Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Probe Initiated | Enforcement Directorate (under PMLA) |
| Focus | Fake NRI quota admissions in private medical colleges |
| Assets Seized | Rs.12.33 crore + Rs. 6.42 crore FD certificates |
| Involvement | Agents and college management; no named politicians |
| Parallel Scandal | WBSSC teacher recruitment scam (~₹610 crore attached) |
