New Delhi/Shillong: In a significant move in the ongoing Meghalaya fake degree scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday provisionally attached assets exceeding ₹20 crore belonging to Chandra Mohan Jha, the Chancellor of CMJ University, and his family. This latest action, undertaken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, brings the total attached assets in this widespread fraud to over ₹69 crore.
The attached properties include four immovable assets located in New Delhi, collectively valued at ₹19.28 crore, alongside bank balances amounting to ₹1 crore. Officials stated that these assets are believed to be proceeds derived from the illicit operations of CMJ University.
The scam, which came to light through investigations, involved CMJ University, a private institution, issuing thousands of fake degrees between 2010 and 2013. These degrees were allegedly distributed without proper examinations or adherence to academic standards, enrolling students in courses that often lacked necessary regulatory approvals. The ill-gotten gains from this extensive scheme were subsequently laundered and invested in various properties and assets across the country, as per the ED’s findings.
The Meghalaya Police had initially registered an FIR in the matter, prompting the ED to initiate its money laundering probe. Authorities have confirmed that further investigation into the case is actively underway.