In a major crackdown on educational corruption, the Enforcement Directorate’s Bengaluru Zonal Office has provisionally attached three immovable properties belonging to trustees of BMS Educational Trust. Valued at approximately ₹19.46 crore, the assets include one plot and two flats. This action was taken on January 21 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The investigation stems from FIRs registered at Malleshwaram and Hanumanthanagar police stations in Bengaluru. It uncovers a massive seat-blocking scam during engineering college admissions managed by the Karnataka Examination Authority. Allegations point to widespread illegal transactions, where colleges flouted rules to extract excess cash beyond official fees.
ED raids on May 26 and June 25 at multiple locations revealed shocking details. BMS-controlled engineering colleges were systematically overcharging students, collecting unaccounted cash directly or through middlemen posing as education consultants. Seats were sold via brokers, bypassing transparent processes.
During searches, ED seized ₹1.86 crore in cash from trustees, management, and agents. Crucial evidence, including diaries, WhatsApp chats, and documents, linked to ₹20.20 crore in undeclared transactions from seat sales. College staff and agents corroborated these findings.
The laundered proceeds were diverted for personal gains by trust trustees. ED emphasizes that the probe continues, with more revelations expected. This case highlights deep-rooted malpractices in India’s higher education admissions, urging stricter oversight.