School principal in Kandivali embezzles Rs 80 lakhs students' fees, booked

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The principal of Priyadarshini school in Charkop, Kandivali West, is facing allegations of embezzling students' fees totaling Rs 80 lakhs over three years. The Charkop police has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the accused following a directive from the Borivali court, sources said.

Pandurang Maruti Pandagade (71), a trustee of the school associated with the Rashtriya Bahuuddeshiya Samaj Seva Mandal, filed the complaint with the police. Pandagade, a retired banker, discovered the financial irregularities during the 2020 pandemic. The investigation revealed that the principal and his sister diverted funds by instructing students to deposit fees directly into the principal's personal account.

Additionally, there are allegations that the principal accepted bribes to manipulate students' grades. The school management issued a show cause notice to the principal, who failed to respond.

Pandagade in his statement to the police stated that the school had also failed to pay rent amounting to Rs 18 lakhs to the Mumbai civic body, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, over the past three years, resulting in the premises being sealed by the civic body.

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Facing a lack of cooperation from the police in registering an FIR, Pandagade sought assistance from the Borivali court, which directed the Charkop police to initiate legal proceedings.

The Charkop Police Station has registered a case under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, charging the principal and his sister with cheating, a police officer said. The police is currently investigating the allegations made by the complainant, said the officer.