The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a nationwide crackdown on private medical colleges, with eight institutions in West Bengal being raided. On Tuesday morning, the central agency carried out simultaneous searches at these colleges and the residences of their owners.
One of the main targets of the investigation is the house of former Tamluk MP Lakshman Seth in Haldia. The ED is focusing on his medical and dental college, which is managed by his voluntary organization.
The ED’s probe centers around allegations of corruption related to the NRI quota in medical admissions. The agency is investigating claims that ineligible students were admitted through the NRI quota in exchange for bribes while deserving candidates were denied admission.
Apart from West Bengal, the ED is conducting searches in 28 private medical colleges across India. In the state, raids are being carried out in Birbhum, West Burdwan, and Kolkata.
One of the colleges under investigation in Birbhum is owned by Malay Peet, who is accused in cow smuggling and recruitment corruption cases allegedly linked to TMC leader Anubrata Mandal.
