The central agency initiated simultaneous searches at these institutions and the residences of their owners on Tuesday morning. One of the primary targets of the investigation is the house of former Tamluk MP Lakshman Seth in Haldia. The ED is scrutinising his medical and dental college, which is run by his voluntary organisation.

The ED’s probe is focused on allegations of corruption related to the NRI quota in medical admissions. Apart from West Bengal, the agency is conducting searches in 28 private medical colleges across India. In this state, the raids are being carried out in Birbhum, West Burdwan, and Kolkata.

The investigation centres around allegations of admitting ineligible students through the NRI quota in exchange for bribes while denying admission to eligible candidates. One of the medical colleges under scrutiny in Birbhum is owned by Malay Peet, who is accused in cow smuggling and recruitment corruption cases allegedly linked to TMC leader Anubrata Mandal.