FIIT JEE ‘siphoned off’ fee collected from students: ED probe
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has found a systematic scheme to siphon off funds during searches conducted at seven locations in Delhi, Noida and Gurugram in connection with an alleged money laundering case against coaching institute FIITJEE on April 24.
The anti-money laundering agency had seized cash worth Rs 10 lakh and jewellery worth Rs 4.89 crore during the searches.
The ED had initiated the investigation against FIITJEE and its senior management on the basis of multiple FIRs registered across Noida, Lucknow, Delhi, Bhopal and other locations.
The FIRs alleged that the senior management of FIITJEE collected substantial fees from students and parents under the pretext of providing quality educational services. Instead, the institute allegedly engaged in financial fraud, criminal breach of trust, and educational malpractice.
Parents of wards undertaking coaching in these centres, had alleged that they had made huge advance payments for the entire year, but FIITJEE reportedly did not inform them about the sudden closure of their centres, leaving the future of around 14,000 students in uncertainty.
They further alleged that no refund of fees was provided to them.
The searches were carried out at the residences of FIITJEE Director DK Goel, the CEO, COO, and CFO, as well as at the official premises of FIITJEE coaching institute.
During the search, several incriminating documents and digital devices were seized, indicating serious financial irregularities, sources said.
According to ED sources, FIITJEE had collected around ₹250 crore in advance fees from over 14,400 students for academic years spanning 2025–26 to 2028–29. However, these funds were reportedly siphoned off for unauthorised and personal use, leaving faculty salaries unpaid and operations unsustainable.
Consequently, 32 coaching centres at Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Noida, Prayagraj, Delhi, Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Faridabad, Gurugram, Mumbai etc. were abruptly shut down, causing widespread distress to approximately 15,000 students and parents.
India