A shocking case of fraud has emerged from Kolkata, where a 19-year-old medical aspirant from Agartala was allegedly swindled of a staggering Rs 21 lakh. The young man was promised a guaranteed MBBS seat at the prestigious Calcutta National Medical College (CNMC) through the donor quota by individuals posing as officials.
The Elaborate Con: Forged Documents and Official Facades
The victim's ordeal began when he received a call from a person named Ayan, who claimed to represent an education consultancy based in Pune. Ayan, along with accomplices identified as Keshav Sinha, Vibhu Rastogi, Ashok Ghosh, and Jayanta Sen, allegedly orchestrated an intricate scheme. They used forged documents issued in the name of the West Bengal Medical Counseling Committee to lend credibility to their claims.
The audacity of the accused knew no bounds. The aspiring student was allegedly taken to Swasthya Bhawan, the state health department headquarters, where he made payments and was shown a fake allotment letter. In a further act to convince him, the accused even took him inside the CNMC Hospital. Using what appeared to be official keys, they escorted him into a restricted area, solidifying the illusion of their authority and access.
Complaint Lodged and Investigation Underway
After realizing he had been deceived, the devastated MBBS aspirant approached the police. He has formally lodged a complaint at the Beniapukur Police Station, detailing the entire fraudulent episode. The case highlights a sophisticated racket that preys on the dreams and anxieties of students and their families desperate to secure a seat in medical colleges.
Broader Implications for Medical Admissions
This incident raises serious concerns about the security and transparency of medical admissions in the state. Scammers exploiting the so-called 'donor quota' or management seats is not a new phenomenon, but the brazen manner in which this operation was conducted—using government premises and forged official documents—points to a deep-rooted problem. It serves as a stark warning for students and parents to be extremely vigilant and to rely only on official counseling channels for admissions.
Authorities are now investigating the roles of all named individuals and the alleged Pune-based firm. The police will be scrutinizing the forged documents and the method used to gain access to restricted areas to bring the perpetrators to justice.
