Illegal sale of KEA seats: Police issue notices to prestigious colleges

Bengaluru: The Malleshwaram police have intensified their investigation into the illegal sale of Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) engineering seats, a racket that has sent shockwaves through the academic community. Notices have been issued to three prominent colleges — New Horizon College of Engineering, Akash Institute of Engineering, and BMS Engineering College — demanding documents on student admissions over the last three years, including details of merit and management quota seats.

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The KEA chief had earlier filed a complaint, suspecting foul play in the allocation process. Police investigations have already led to the arrest of 10 individuals, including KEA staff and middlemen involved in the racket. Officials revealed that racketeers, led by a kingpin identified as Harsha, targeted 2,625 seats that students had rejected, as well as government-quota seats, to carry out their fraudulent activities.

“The parties involved appeared for the investigation last Saturday but requested a week’s time to provide additional information,” police said.

Sources within KEA expressed serious concerns about the racket, which has undermined the fairness of the seat allocation process.

The investigation has raised critical questions about the potential involvement of influential figures behind the scam. “We’re leaving no stone unturned,” police assured, as they comb through admission records and track down leads to dismantle the network.

Further arrests and revelations are anticipated as the probe progresses.