FIIT JEE Case: ₹206 crore collected from students, funds diverted for personal use, reveal searches by ED

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Lucknow, conducted searches at seven locations across Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida), Delhi, and Haryana's Gurgaon on Thursday (April 24) in connection with the FIIT-JEE case. ED officials confirmed on Saturday that approximately ₹206 crore was collected from students of running batches on the pretext of providing educational services, which were ultimately not delivered.

"The gathered cash were reportedly diverted for personal and illegal use, while academic salaries went unpaid. As a result, 32 coaching institutes in Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Meerut, Noida, Prayagraj, Delhi, Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Mumbai were unexpectedly closed, causing significant sorrow among students and parents, according to a top ED officer. Senior ED officials stated that these searches were carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

Officials further stated that the ED launched its probe after receiving various First Information Reports (FIRs) against FIIT-JEE and its senior management in Lucknow, Noida, Delhi, Bhopal, and other locations. The search operations were carried out at the residences of director DK Goel, CEO, COO, and CFO, as well as the official premises of the FIIT-JEE Coaching Institute, according to ED officials in a news release distributed to the media.