Entrance Exam Scam: CCB nabs 8

BANGALORE: The sleuths of the fraud and misappropriation squad of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested eight persons involved in selling of medical drop out seats. The accused persons allegedly hired candidates to write CET and Comed-K entrance exams.After they secured seats in prestigious institutions, these candidates dropped out and their seats were sold for hefty prices.The accused have been identified as Dr. Ibrahim Pasha (40), Rafath Malik (53), Sheikh Abdul Farooq alias Farooq Ahmad (40), Ramachandra Saa (32), K Z Waheem Ahmad alias Faheem (32), Syed Abrahar (32), Ishtiaq Ahmed alias Ishtiaq Pailwan (40) and Rajagopala Reddy (60).Based on a complaint by KIMS Medical College’s administration council member A Prasad, the police arrested the eight persons and recovered Rs 3.42 lakh cash, Demand Drafts worth Rs 7 lakh.According to the police, the accused had nexus with the management of various medical and engineering colleges. They also identified students of other states who were ready to pay huge money for medical and engineering seats.They were in contact with students who could secure seats in prestigious colleges.After attempting the exam, they voluntarily submitted records saying they did not want the seat. These candidates were paid large sum of money for this process. “As their seats would be considered as management seats, the accused had prepared students who were ready to pay huge amount for the seats. Later, they demanded about Rs 75- 90 lakh from them and got the seats. The money was shared between them and the management,” the police added.A police official said that the accused used candidates from Bihar and other states. “The candidates who wrote the exam were paid lakhs of rupees.Some of them are also working professionals, who write the exam to make huge money in a shot. The role of influential people in this racket is certain and it is being investigated,” he added.The accused Dr Ibrahim Pasha owns a few colleges, while Ishtiaq Pailwan, a history sheeter, is married to Farida Begum, who is the BBMP corporator for Shivajinagar.