Mumbai: Vaccine racket kingpin also ran coaching scam

Cops slap another case on Dr Manish Tripathi, for cheating students on pretext of coaching them for nursing course

Dr Manish Tripathi, a key accused in the Kandivli fake vaccination scam, has been booked in another case by Charkop police based on a 19-year-old student’s complaint. According to the complainant, several months back she had paid Rs 90,000 for admission to Tripathi’s institute for nursing courses, but not even a single class was held. Police said several more students, who were cheated by him, have come forward.

Last week, Charkop police filed a case under Sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) against him and his KCEP Group of Institutions based on the complaint. So far 12 students, cheated by Tripathi, have come forward, said an officer.

The complainant, a resident of Dhanukarwadi in Kandivli, had taken admission for a nursing course. She found out that Tripathi had paid Rs 20,000 of the Rs 90,000 she paid to an institute in Karnataka for her admission, and kept the rest of the money in the name of coaching fees, said an officer. She asked for a refund, but Tripathi refused. She approached the police after hearing about his involvement in the vaccination scam unearthed a couple of months back.

Institute not registered

KCEP Group of Institutions was not registered with any recognised institution in India, an RTI has revealed. Kiran Manjrekar, an RTI activist from Dahisar, told mid-day that Tripathi had claimed that his institution was affiliated with Karnataka State Diploma In Nursing Examination Board and Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka. “However, in response to an RTI query, I was informed that KCEP Group of Institutions is not affiliated to the two institutions,” he said.

Dr Manish Tripathi’s KCEP Group of Institutions

“I have received information from some students that Tripathi used to make money in the name of admission in nursing and paramedical courses. It has also been alleged that he gave admission to students who were not eligible, including those who had failed Std X and Std XII. He would charge extra from these students and forge qualification certificates,” Manjrekar said.

Most students would work at Shivam and other hospitals, Tripathi told them that it was part of their training, Manjrekar said, adding, “The government should investigate this matter and everyone who got certificates from KCEP Group of Institutions.”

Tripathi used to run three institutions in Thane (Mira-Bhayandar) and Mumbai (Kandivli and Thakur Village). A letter has been sent to the concerned department to find out if Tripathi’s institution has affiliation, said an officer.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!