A Dalit student from Gadchiroli district has accused Sindhudurg Shikshan Prasarak Mandal (SSPM) Medical College of demanding excessive fees and forcing him to withdraw his complaint. The college, run by former Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane, allegedly asked the student to pay Rs 9.2 lakh despite only Rs 50,000 being due as refundable caution money. When he complained to the Maharashtra Common Entrance Test Cell, the institute reportedly confined him and made him write a letter stating he had no grievance. Two other students, from NT-D and SEBC categories, were also allegedly forced to pay extra amounts. The college denies all allegations. SSPM has faced similar accusations for the past three years, though previous investigations cleared it of wrongdoing. The student has now lost his MBBS seat for this year.
Student Alleges Confinement and Forced Retraction
The Gadchiroli student claimed college authorities detained him around 4:30 PM on Tuesday in the office until 6 PM, preventing him from using his mobile phone. He was released only after being forced to write a letter to the CET Cell stating he had no complaint against SSPM Medical College. Later that evening and on Wednesday morning, the candidate sent two more letters refuting the earlier one. The CET Cell initially shared the letter written under duress but later reported the student sent another message asking to withdraw his complaint. By Wednesday evening, the student reiterated his allegations through email, which the CET Cell has yet to address.
Pattern of Fee Disputes Over Three Years
SSPM Medical College has faced similar complaints for at least three consecutive years. Last year, the Admission Regulating Authority directed the institute to admit candidates who were denied seats. One student was admitted following a Bombay High Court intervention, which ordered creation of a supernumerary seat. Parents of two other students this year told media they received their allotted seats only after paying demanded amounts. The college dean, Vandana Gaopande, denied all allegations, stating the institute charges only fees approved by the state Fee Regulating Authority and that hostel and mess services are optional, not mandatory.
Source: Link