Huge medical/engineering seat blocking scam surfaces

Huge medical/engineering seat blocking scam surfaces

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, May 21, 2014: A huge scam running to near hundred crores involving medical and engineering students has been uncovered in Karnataka, after about 40 alleged impersonators were trapped and booked in Bangalore recently. The scam was found to be based in the Consortium of Medical, Engineering, Dental Colleges of Karnataka-COMEDK exams. More than 1.2 lakh students appeared for this exam recently.

The methodology:

Criminal elements, touts and agents identify potential and ’vulnerable’ student, who are experienced in tackling the exam as they have appeared many times earlier and their aim is to make money for their neds. These students often cannot afford to pay fees in a private college so offer to help the touts in exchange of money starting from Rs. 1-5 lakh. When the students clear the exam and earn a seat, they surrender it to the college just before admissions close. The college then turns the available seat into management quota to demand a huge sum as ’donation’ - ranging from Rs. 5 lakh to even one crore for a seat.

"We got leads from the arrested students following which we raided the COMEDK office in Malleshwaram in Bangalore. We seized several important documents and applications which we are scanning to understand how deep this scandal runs.

We are also investigating some courier companies where bulk bookings have been made for students from Lucknow, Patna and some from Karnataka too," Abhishek Goyal, DCP Crime, Bangalore, told media. He also added that Four of those arrested are agents who have also appeared for the exams earlier. The mastermind of the scam, however, is still at large. Investigators also suspect involvement of some people from the state’s top colleges. "We cannot name them right now and at this stage of investigation it would be premature to add anything more to it. COMEDK officials have cooperated in the course of investigation. 

 The scam has shaken the honest students and their parents who burn the midnight oil to get a seat into the college of their choice. "We pressurise our  students to study because entry to a college can make or break their life. And here because of such thinking, so many careers are at stake. The system must be cleansed. Education system, mainly higher education in India has become too corrupt, and money is the only God" said Deepak Koparde, father of an engineering aspirant Supriya.

No comment has been forth coming from the COMEDK  office.  The higher education ministry of Karnataka says it is monitoring investigations and when results are out on June 4, more skeletons could roll out .