Thane: Over 200 students protested against CEDP Skilled Institute, alleging fraud under the guise of physiotherapy and other medical courses. The students, led by Marzia Shano Pathan, Student Wing leader of NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), stormed the institute demanding justice and warned of lodging formal complaints with Thane Police Commissioner.
According to the students, the institute initially lured them with an ₹11,000 enrolment scheme. However, once admitted, students were pushed into taking loans ranging from ₹4 to ₹5 lakh for multi-year medical courses. The institute promised degrees from Maharashtra universities but later revealed that the degrees would be issued by institutions from states like Jharkhand, Assam, or Sikkim.
Pathan claimed that the institute even facilitated fake 12th-grade certificates for some students to secure their admissions. Many students who tried to withdraw found that the institute demanded ₹25,000 to ₹40,000 to release their original documents. “Loans were arranged through banks in Bengaluru using forged signatures, without students’ knowledge,” Pathan added.
One victim, Gauri Gavkar, reported, “They changed universities multiple times, from Madhav University to SKD, and later to Capital University.” She added that only a handful of students remained enrolled, while others quit due to mismanagement. Despite filing complaints with the local police station, no action has been taken so far.
Pathan vowed to meet the Thane Police Commissioner, demanding the immediate return of students’ documents and fulfilment of the institute’s promises.
“We won’t allow them to play with students’ futures,” she declared. The students urged authorities to intervene and ensure the institute stops exploiting them through deceitful practices.
