A case of alleged fraud has surfaced in which a student was duped of ₹1 lakh on the pretext of admission to a D-Pharma course. Police have registered an FIR against the two operators of SR Medical Institute in the Kotwali area for cheating after they allegedly shut down the institute and disappeared without issuing the promised certificate.
Admission, fees and two years of study
According to the complaint filed by Akhilesh Chaudhary, a resident of Shahpur in the Sonha police station area, he enrolled in the D-Pharma course at the institute in 2023. The institute operators, Abhishek Upadhyay and Jitendra Upadhyay, collected ₹1 lakh as course fees.
The complainant stated that he attended classes for two years and even appeared in the examinations. However, after completing the course, he neither received the certificate nor found any staff present at the institute.
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Institute closed, operators missing
The student alleged that soon after the examinations, the institute was abruptly shut and both operators went absconding. Multiple attempts to contact them failed, following which he approached the Kotwali police and lodged a complaint.
FIR registered, probe underway
The Circle Officer (City) said an FIR has been registered against both accused under cheating and related sections, and an investigation has been initiated. Police are verifying the institute’s recognition status, affiliation claims and whether more students were similarly defrauded.
Questions over regulation of private institutes
The incident has raised concerns about the oversight of private paramedical and pharmacy institutes. Investigators are examining admission records and documents to identify other possible victims who may have paid fees without receiving valid certification.
Advisory for students and parents
Authorities have urged students and guardians to:
- Verify the recognition and affiliation of any institute before taking admission
- Preserve fee receipts and official documents
- Report suspicious institutions to police or the relevant education regulator
Police said efforts are underway to trace and arrest the accused, and more complainants may emerge as the investigation progresses.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
