In a shocking case of educational fraud, dozens of students enrolled in a General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) course in Thane have been left devastated after the institute they trusted shut down abruptly—without issuing certificates, results, or refunds. The students allege that the institute charged lakhs in fees under the pretext of offering a certified nursing program, only to vanish without fulfilling its academic promises. What's more alarming is that the institute retained the students' original documents, putting their educational and career prospects in serious jeopardy.
According to the details emerging from the complaint, 22 students were collectively defrauded of ₹33,17,850. Each student reportedly paid amounts ranging from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹2.32 lakh for the course.
Despite collecting these hefty fees, the institute failed to provide any formal communication, results, or certifications. When suspicions arose, the affected students lodged a formal complaint at Naupada Police Station against the institute's founder, owner, and staff involved in the scam.
The students were initially told they would receive their marksheets by December, followed by course completion certificates. However, when they followed up after the deadline, the institute demanded an additional ₹20,000 per student under the pretext of Maharashtra Nursing Council registration.
Even after this payment, no certificates were issued, and repeated attempts to contact the institute failed. Eventually, the institute’s phone lines were switched off, and its premises were found to be shut down—confirming the worst fears of the students.
This is not the first time students in Thane have fallen victim to such fraudulent practices. Just three months ago, a similar case surfaced when a reputed coaching class in the city shut down midway after collecting more than ₹3 crore from over 80 students. A case was registered against the chief director and staff of that class as well.
Such repeated incidents highlight the growing crisis of trust in private educational institutions, and the need for stricter regulation, verification, and accountability in the education sector.
With their careers and finances at stake, the students are now calling for swift action from law enforcement and the education authorities. Many are demanding not just refunds, but also help in recovering their original documents so they can continue their education elsewhere.
As the investigation continues, this case serves as a stark warning to students and parents to verify the credentials of educational institutions before enrollment.