Maharashtra Government Orders Probe into Medical Admission Irregularities as Students Allege Harassment and Extortion

Introduction: Dreams of Becoming Doctors Turn into Ordeals

For thousands of aspiring medical students across Maharashtra, securing a seat in a medical college marks the culmination of years of dedication, sleepless nights, and relentless hard work. But for 19-year-old Ashok (name changed), this dream quickly turned into a nightmare. His ordeal at SSPM Medical College in Sindhudurg has now sparked statewide outrage, prompting the Maharashtra government to set up a probe panel into alleged irregularities in the 2025–26 medical admission process.

Ashok’s story — and those of several others — has unveiled a disturbing pattern of exploitation, intimidation, and possible corruption that has left many students stranded and disillusioned with the very system meant to shape their futures.

Student Alleges Extortion and Coercion at SSPM Medical College

Ashok, who scored 420 marks in NEET 2025 and ranked 13,978 in the state (855 in the SC category), was confident of securing admission during the second or third round. However, his admission experience at SSPM Medical College painted a grim picture of malpractice.

According to Ashok, he was allotted the same college in both rounds, where officials demanded a fee of ₹9.2 lakh, purportedly covering hostel and mess charges. Shockingly, the official Fee Regulatory Authority (FRA) website listed only ₹50,000 as the approved amount payable at the time of admission.

When he arrived with a demand draft of ₹50,000 — the legitimate fee — the college allegedly refused to process his admission and instead insisted he pay an additional ₹8.7 lakh by cheque. “They told me that no one stays outside — that’s just how it is here,” Ashok said, recalling how the situation escalated.

By late afternoon, college staff allegedly took away his phone and confined him to the office. He was then forced to send an email to the CET Cell stating that he was withdrawing from admission “due to personal problems.” Only after doing so was he allowed to leave.

Later, once out of the premises, Ashok sent another email clarifying that the earlier one was sent under duress. CET Cell officials have since confirmed that they will review all of Ashok’s communications and determine the next course of action.

State Government Steps In: Probe Panel Constituted

In response to these serious allegations, the Maharashtra government has constituted a two-member committee to investigate the incident. The panel includes Dr. Anita Paritkar and Dr. Pradeep Rajat from Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Government Medical College, Kolhapur. They have been directed to visit SSPM Medical College, examine the allegations, and submit a comprehensive report to the state government.

Despite repeated attempts, SSPM Medical College Dean Dr. Vandana Gaopande did not respond to calls or messages seeking clarification.

Not an Isolated Incident: Widespread Complaints Across Colleges

Ashok’s experience is not unique. Reports have emerged from various parts of the state highlighting similar irregularities and unethical practices during the admission process.

Another student who had been allotted a seat at a private medical college in Amravati said he was denied entry at the college gates despite official confirmation of his seat.

Meanwhile, an Ayurveda aspirant from Latur faced a different but equally distressing situation. After securing her BAMS seat, submitting original documents, and completing her retention form, she was stunned to find her name listed under the MBBS Institutional Quota (IQ) list — something she never applied for.

In her letter to the CET Cell, she alleged that someone had filled IQ Quota options and paid ₹5,000 on her behalf without her knowledge. “I applied only under the State Quota. I request an investigation into how and by whom the IQ Quota options were filled,” she wrote, fearing that she might lose her rightful BAMS seat.

When questioned, the CET Cell dismissed it as a “candidate error,” but counsellors and student representatives argue otherwise.

Calls for Forensic Investigation to Expose Systemic Manipulation

Student counsellor Sachin Bangad strongly opposed the CET Cell’s explanation, calling for a forensic cyber investigation. “A digital audit tracing the IP addresses and account details used to fill these forms and make payments will reveal who is behind these manipulations,” he said.

Bangad also questioned the unusually high number of vacant Institutional Quota seats, suggesting that many such seats were filled under dubious circumstances. “If students are not taking these seats despite allotments, something deeper is at play,” he added.

Parent representative Sudha Shenoy echoed similar concerns, citing repeated incidents where colleges like SSPM in Sindhudurg and Vedanta in Palghar have allegedly locked out students allotted seats by the CET Cell. “These institutions have a notorious reputation. Despite official allotments, students are being harassed and denied entry into campuses,” she said.

Vacant Seats and Growing Frustration Among Students

Despite three rounds of Institutional Quota admissions, a significant number of seats remain vacant across the state. Tuesday marked the final day for the third round, but reports surfaced from multiple regions showing students stranded outside closed college gates.

This recurring chaos has left students and parents frustrated and hopeless. Many claim that the Admission Regulatory Authority (ARA) — the body responsible for overseeing the fairness of the process — has failed in its duty.

“The very institution that is supposed to safeguard students’ rights appears to be colluding with powerful private college owners,” alleged one parent. Such accusations have intensified the demand for greater transparency and accountability in Maharashtra’s medical admission process.

Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Regulatory Reform

The unfolding scandal in Maharashtra’s medical admission system is more than just an administrative failure — it’s a betrayal of trust for thousands of hardworking students who dream of becoming doctors. The state government’s decision to initiate a probe is a critical first step, but experts and activists insist that the inquiry must go beyond individual cases to address the systemic flaws enabling such exploitation.

Whether it’s extortion under the guise of hostel fees, unauthorized form manipulation, or denial of legitimate admissions, these incidents highlight the urgent need for digital transparency, stricter monitoring, and student protection mechanisms.

Until then, the stories of students like Ashok serve as stark reminders that in the pursuit of medical education, fairness and integrity must not be the first casualties.