Enforcement Directorate Conducts Raids on CMJ University for Fake Degree Allegations
Click to start listening
Guwahati, Dec 23 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has carried out search operations at CMJ University's offices located in Shillong, as well as at the residences of its Chancellor Chandra Mohan Jha in both Shillong and New Delhi, officials announced on Monday.
These searches are part of an investigation into allegations that CMJ University was involved in selling fraudulent degrees for exorbitant prices.
According to an official announcement, numerous compromising documents and digital evidence were discovered and confiscated during the ongoing searches. It has been revealed from the digital data that fake degrees from years such as 2012 and 2013 were still being sold by CMJ University at high prices.
The investigation also uncovered that the University operates with minimal infrastructure and lacks proper record-keeping. Additionally, Proceeds of Crime amounting to Rs 1.53 crore found in various bank accounts have been placed under freezing orders during the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
“The total Proceeds of Crime have been assessed at Rs 83.52 crore, of which the ED has previously attached properties worth Rs 48.76 crore. A Prosecution Complaint in this matter has already been submitted to the Special Court in Shillong,” the statement disclosed.
Searches were conducted at the offices of CMJ University and CMJ Foundation, as well as the residences of Chancellor Chandra Mohan Jha in both Shillong and New Delhi.
It is significant to note that following numerous complaints, the Governor of Meghalaya, who served as the visitor of CMJ University, instructed the State Government to dissolve the university in 2013, a decision later upheld by the Meghalaya High Court in 2021.
The official statement indicated that the ED's investigation was prompted by the FIR and charge-sheet filed by the Meghalaya Police under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, against CMJ University and its Chancellor Chandra Mohan Jha, along with his family members, who were also Trustees of CMJ Foundation, for deceiving thousands of students by issuing fake degree certificates in exchange for money.
Approximately 20,570 fake degrees were issued by CMJ University despite its limited faculty, which had questionable credentials.
Furthermore, the ED's investigation revealed that after the sale of these fake degrees, the funds received in their bank accounts were redirected by rotating among various bank accounts as Fixed Deposits, Bank Balances, Mutual Funds, and Life Insurance policies managed by the Jha family, thereby disguising the transactions as legitimate.
