Delay in Filing FIR Against the School Despite Orders
Allegations of Financial Nexus Between School Management, Education Department, and Police Station
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts Exclusive
In a shocking revelation, the special investigation team of Sprouts has uncovered documents obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, revealing that the management of a controversial school in Kandivali has been collecting unauthorized fees from hundreds of students for years. This has allegedly resulted in accumulating illicit wealth amounting to hundreds of crores.
Despite the School Education Department issuing orders to file an FIR against the school for charging exorbitant fees, no action has been taken. The Sprouts investigation suggests a financial nexus between the school’s management, education inspectors, and the local police station, leading to a lack of enforcement against the school.
The Case in Detail
Kapol Vidyanidhi International School (KVIS) in Mahavir Nagar, Kandivali (West), has reportedly been collecting fees that have been violating regulations for years. This practice has resulted in massive financial exploitation of students and their parents. In 2021, aggrieved parents, including Vipul Shah, raised multiple complaints with Sandeep Sangve, Deputy Director of the School Education Department for the Mumbai region as well as Education Inspector (West Zone)
Following a thorough investigation, an inspection report dated May 26, 2022, highlighted several irregularities within the school. However, no concrete action was taken against the school management, prompting parents to approach the High Court, where they submitted the report as evidence.
Escalation of Complaints and Delayed Action
Parents, led by Shah, continued to press their complaints with the School Education Department. Ultimately, Deputy Director Sangve instructed the education inspector to act under the Maharashtra Educational Institutions (Prohibition of Capitation Fee) Act, 1987. Accordingly, on May 27, 2024, the education inspector directed Kandivali Police Station to file a complaint.
However, sources indicate that the school management has close financial ties with the local police station, resulting in the non-registration of an FIR to date. This inaction has sparked outrage among parents.
Also Read: https://sproutsnews.com/multi-crore-rupees-corruption-at-vishalgad/
Parents Threaten Hunger Strike
Frustrated by the inaction, parents announced a hunger strike outside the office of the Education Inspector of Mumbai’s western division on January 2. Vipul Shah and other parents accused the education inspector of employing delaying tactics while pretending to take action.
Repeated attempts to contact the school’s chairperson, Alka Vora, and education inspector Sanjay Javir for comments have been unsuccessful.
Demand for Investigation
The parents have filed complaints with the Charity Commissioner and School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds by the school management. They insist on strict action against those responsible for amassing crores of illicit wealth through unauthorized and excessive fees.
The situation remains tense as parents await justice, and the lack of accountability fuels further resentment.
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