Four people have been charged by the Sakinaka police in Mumbai with cheating nine medical applicants out of ₹45 lakh. The defendant ran Sakinaka’s SEZ Academy and deceitfully told parents they could get their kids in to medical school. One of the victims, Suryakant Gaikwad, a retired RBI employee from Chembur, submitted a complaint, which led to the case’s discovery.
Gaikwad’s daughter was seeking admission to a medical college after passing the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Gaikwad saw an advertisement on Facebook in November 2024 from the SEZ Academy that said it could help him get MBBS seats. Seizing the chance, Gaikwad went to the academy and had meetings with Pratiksha Angre, Aradhya Chaturvedi, and Ravindara Saket, the purported leaders of the institution. At a lower cost than the standard entrance costs, they pledged to get Gaikwad’s daughter an MBBS seat at the Prakash Institute of Medical Sciences & Research in Sangli. The accused pushed Gaikwad to take immediate action, claiming that only one seat remained.
For the full admissions procedure, the three demanded ₹68.5 lakh. First, relying on their promises, Gaikwad wrote a cheque for 5 lakh. He was startled to discover, however, that his daughter’s name was not on the list of admitted students when he got in touch with the Prakash Institute immediately. After that, Gaikwad made several attempts to contact the SEZ Academy, but the institution ceased returning his calls. He found their office had been closed when he arrived.
According to additional research, Gaikwad wasn’t the only victim. According to reports, the accused had also deceived other parents, swindling a total of ₹45 lakh. According to Sections 316(2) (criminal breach of trust) and 318(4) (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the police have charged Pratiksha Angre, Aradhya Chaturvedi, Ravindara Saket, and Amit Sharma.
This case brings to light the rising issue of fraudulent educational programs, in which dishonest people take advantage of parents’ and students’ desperation to gain admission to esteemed universities. In an effort to apprehend the offenders, the police have opened an inquiry.
SOURCE :
HINDUSTAN TIMES
