It was a cold morning in January 2025 when Ananya Verma received an email that would shatter her dreams.
As a bright student from Noida, she had enrolled in FIITJEE’s Sector 62 center, paying a hefty fee for their renowned coaching program. The email, however, was anything but reassuring.
“Dear Student,” it began, “We regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, all FIITJEE centers are merging with Aakash Institute. Your classes are now discontinued.”
Ananya stared at the screen, disbelief etched across her face. “What do you mean discontinued? I have my JEE exams in six months!” she muttered to herself.
Her phone buzzed. It was a message from her friend, Aarav, who had enrolled in the same center. “Ananya, have you seen the email? This can’t be happening!”
The news spread like wildfire. Parents and students flooded the Sector 58 police station with complaints. “We paid lakhs for quality education, and now they’re shutting down without notice!” one parent exclaimed.
The Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) took swift action, filing a case against FIITJEE Ltd and its officials, including Managing Director Dinesh Kumar Goel.
The Financial Web Unraveled
As investigations deepened, shocking revelations came to light. The Noida Police froze over 300 bank accounts linked to FIITJEE and seized ₹60 lakh in cash.
Further probing uncovered that Dinesh Goel’s PAN card was associated with 172 current accounts and 12 savings accounts across various states, with over ₹11 crore frozen from just 12 of these accounts.
A former employee, who wished to remain anonymous, shared, “We were told to collect fees upfront. There were no proper receipts, and classes were often canceled without explanation.”
The Fallout
The abrupt closure left thousands of students stranded. “I had to find another coaching center at the last minute,” said Aarav. “It was chaos.”
Parents were equally distraught. “We trusted FIITJEE with our child’s future. Now, we’re left with nothing,” one parent lamented.
The merger with Aakash Institute, announced via email, did little to alleviate concerns. “They didn’t even consult us,” Ananya said. “It felt like they were washing their hands off the whole situation.”
The Bigger Picture
This incident raises pertinent questions about the accountability of educational institutions.
“Educational institutes are meant to nurture and guide students, not exploit them,” remarked an education expert. “This scam has not only jeopardized students’ futures but also eroded trust in the entire coaching industry.”
The FIITJEE ₹250 crore scam serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in the education sector. As investigations continue, one can only hope that justice is served, and such incidents never repeat.
