Bengaluru Engineering Seat Scam: ED Raids 18 Locations In Karnataka Including BMS, Akash Institute

Last Updated:June 25, 2025, 10:46 IST

According to sources, over 2,000 engineering seats were fraudulently blocked across several colleges, allowing a criminal network to manipulate admissions for financial gain.

The ED's ongoing operations are targeting individuals and institutions suspected of being key players in the scam.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched a series of search operations at nearly 18 locations across Karnataka, including multiple premises in Bengaluru, as part of its investigation into a large-scale money laundering scam linked to fraudulent engineering seat allocations.

The case revolves around the infamous Bangalore Engineering Seat Scam that rocked the 2024-25 academic session. According to official sources, over 2,000 engineering seats were fraudulently blocked across several colleges, allowing a criminal network to manipulate admissions for illegal financial gain. The scam not only deprived eligible students of legitimate opportunities but also allegedly helped certain private engineering colleges profit unlawfully through manipulated seat allocation processes.

The ED’s ongoing operations are targeting individuals and institutions suspected of being key players in the scam. Prominent among those under scrutiny is the well-known BMS Engineering College, as well as Akash Institute of Engineering. Several individuals closely associated with these institutions are also under investigation. The search operations aim to uncover evidence of proceeds of crime and trace the money trail that may lead to larger networks involved in systemic fraud within the education sector.

This case was initially brought to light by the Malleswaram Police in Bengaluru, who made multiple arrests in 2024. A contract employee of the Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) was among those taken into custody. The KEA, responsible for conducting centralized admissions into professional courses, was allegedly compromised by internal actors in collusion with private agents and institutions.

Following the preliminary investigation and arrests by local authorities, the case was handed over to the ED under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The central agency is now focusing on identifying how illicit funds were moved and whether colleges received unlawful financial benefits through manipulated admissions.

The scam has sparked serious concerns about the integrity of the college admission process in Karnataka. It has also raised questions about the effectiveness of monitoring systems in place to prevent such fraudulent activities. With the ED now at the helm of the probe, further arrests and asset seizures are likely as the investigation deepens.

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