Meghalaya: ED sleuths from Guwahati zonal office search CMJ University, residences of Chancellor, others

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: Directorate of Enforcement (ED) sleuths from its Guwahati zonal office conducted search operations under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, in the fraud degree certificate case against M/s CMJ University, Shillong, and its Chancellor Chandra Mohan Jha, his family members, and others. The search has led to the seizure of several incriminating documents and digital evidence on the issuance of fake degrees.

According to ED sources, these searches have been conducted in the offices of CMJ University and CMJ Foundation and also in the residences of the Chancellor, Chandra Mohan Jha, in New Delhi and Shillong. Based on several complaints, the Governor of Meghalaya, who was the Visitor of CMJ University, had directed the State Government to dissolve CMJ University in 2013, and the dissolution was also upheld by the Meghalaya High Court in 2021.

ED sources said it initiated an investigation on the basis of the FIR and charge sheet filed by the Meghalaya Police under the IPC, 1860, against M/s CMJ University, Shillong, Meghalaya, its Chancellor Chandra Mohan Jha, his family members, who were also trustees of M/s CMJ Foundation, and other persons, for defrauding thousands of students by giving them fake degree certificates in lieu of money. Around 20,570 fake degrees were awarded by M/s CMJ University despite its small faculty with highly doubtful credentials.

The ED investigation revealed that after selling the fake degrees, the funds so received in their bank accounts were diverted after rotating amongst bank accounts in various banks as fixed deposits/bank balances, mutual funds, and life insurance policies maintained by the members of the Jha family and given the colour of genuine transactions. The proceeds of crime (POC) were also invested in landed property.

From the seized digital evidence, it is found that fake degrees pertaining to the years 2012, 2013, etc. were still continued to be sold by CMJ University at hefty prices, the sources said. The university is also found to be running with skeletal infrastructure without proper records. Further, proceeds of crime found in bank accounts to the tune of Rs. 1.53 crore have been placed under freezing orders during the searches under the PMLA.

Total POC has been quantified at Rs.83.52 crore, out of which ED had already attached property worth Rs.48.76 crore earlier.

One prosecution complaint in this case has already been filed in the Special Court (PMLA), Shillong. The investigation is in progress.

Also Read: Enforcement Directorate attaches property of CMJ University in crores

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