The chancellor of Sri Sri Ramaswamy Memorial University (SRM), Chennai, T R Pachamuthu, was arrested today, August 26, on charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and common intention, under IPC Section 420, 406,34, respectively. About 109 parents have lodged a complaint against Pachamuthu alleging that the latter had taken approx Rs.50 lakhs from each of them to secure MBBS/BDS seats for their wards in SRM.
Prior to the arrest, the Central Crime Branch, Chennai had conducted an overnight interrogation of Pachamuthu regarding the disappearance of his close aide Madhan. Preliminary investigations had linked Madhan with this case of money laundering.
Apart from the fact that admissions to deemed/private colleges should be made on the basis of merit of students, and their NEET scores, many such medical colleges are charging a capitation fee as high as 40 to 80 lakhs, to secure admission to them.