ED Recovers Assets Valued at Over Rs 89 Lakhs from Kerala Medical College Officials
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Synopsis
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in Kochi has recovered properties valued at Rs 89.75 lakh from individuals misled regarding MBBS admissions at Dr SM CSI Medical College. Investigations revealed fraudulent practices tied to key officials.
Key Takeaways
- ED successfully restituted Rs 89.75 lakh.
- Related to fraudulent MBBS admissions at a medical college.
- Investigation initiated based on multiple FIRs.
- Provisional Attachment Order issued for Rs 95.25 lakh.
- Special Court approved restitution for victims.
Kochi, Feb 24 (NationPress) The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Kochi Zonal Office announced on Monday the successful recovery of properties valued at Rs 89.75 lakh from six individuals who had made payments to the accused under false promises of securing MBBS admissions in Dr SM CSI Medical College.
This Medical College, situated on the outskirts of the capital city, was among the first private medical colleges established in the state following the A.K. Antony administration's reforms in the educational sector from 2001 to 2004.
The ED commenced its inquiry based on multiple FIRs filed against Dr Bennet Abraham and others, along with relevant charge sheets submitted by the Crime Branch of Kerala at the Judicial Chief Magistrate Court-III.
Notably, Abraham was chosen by the CPI, the second largest partner in the ruling Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government, and contested in the 2014 Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha election, where he placed third.
This incident sparked controversy, with allegations claiming that Abraham secured his candidacy by paying a significant amount to certain CPI leaders.
Abraham is a prominent figure at the Medical College, which has been operated by the local CSI Church since its establishment.
The investigation by the ED uncovered that the accused, including Abraham and others affiliated with the Church, had solicited funds from parents and students under the guise of facilitating admissions to the MBBS and PG programs at the college.
Following the revelations, the Kerala High Court instructed the Admission Supervisory Committee for Medical Education in Kerala to probe the claims against Abraham and his associates.
As part of the investigation under the PMLA, searches were conducted across various locations, leading to the recovery of electronic devices and incriminating documents.
“Subsequently, a Provisional Attachment Order dated 22.11.2022 was issued for the attachment of Rs 95.25 Lakh, identified as Proceeds of Crime (POC), and a Prosecution Complaint was filed before the Special Court (PMLA). Afterwards, the victims submitted petitions to the Court for restitution of assets under section 8(8) of PMLA, which the Special Court approved on 10.02.2025,” stated the ED.
“We are actively working to restore the remaining proceeds of crime to other victims upon their applications to the ED and the Special Court,” the ED added.
