Kerala Medical Admission Scam: ED attaches bank deposits of SMCSI medical college for allegedly cheating parents

New Delhi: Bank deposits worth Rs 95.25 lakh of a Kerala-based medical college have been attached under the anti-money laundering law in a case linked to the alleged duping of parents by promising admission to their children, the ED said Tuesday.

The action has been taken against Dr SM CSI Medical College at Karakonam in Thiruvananthapuram district, it said in a statement.

Kerala Money Laundering Case: ED Interrogates Karakonam Medical College Director

The money laundering case against the medical colleges and its promoters stems from multiple FIRs filed by the Kerala Police.

A probe found that funds were collected from parents on the pretext of giving admission to their wards in the Dr SM CSI Medical College, the Enforcement Directorate said.

"However, admissions were not given even after taking money," it alleged.

A part of the said cash was used for developing the infrastructure of the medical college and the remaining amount was "diverted" to the parent organisation — the South Kerala Diocese (SKD), the agency said. The federal probe agency said, "Bennet Abraham and A Dharmaraj Rasalam had by the commission of the scheduled offence, derived/obtained the proceeds of crime totalling Rs 95,25,000."

However, the ED said, as the "proceeds of crime" generated by Abraham and A Dharmaraj Rasalam through the college were exhausted and were not available for attachment, an equivalent amount from the bank account of the college has been provisionally attached after a provisional order was issued on Tuesday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that Raids were conducted at the headquarters of the CSI South Kerala diocese which houses the office of Bishop A Dharmaraj Rasalam. The bishop was one of the main accused booked by the Kerala police who was accused of taking huge amounts of money from students on the promise of a medical seat at the Dr Somervell Memorial CSI Medical College in Karakonam, which is run by the church.

The church was alleged to have accepted capitation fees for admission to a medical college run by it and the deal reportedly involved black money.

Also Read:ED summons CSI for alleged admission scam at Karakonam Medical College