From Success to Scandal: FIITJEE’s Fall from Grace
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday conducted raids across eight locations associated with FIITJEE, the once-celebrated coaching institute, in Delhi, Noida, and Gurugram. The raids are part of a sweeping investigation into allegations of financial irregularities linked to the sudden closure of several of FIITJEE’s centres earlier this year.
Founded by DK Goel, FIITJEE was hailed as a premier coaching institute that helped thousands of students crack India’s toughest engineering entrance exams. Over decades, it built a reputation of academic excellence and rigorous preparation. However, the abrupt shutdown of its centres and emerging allegations of financial misconduct have turned this success story into a tale of betrayal and chaos.
The Raid and the Allegations: What We Know So Far
The ED’s action follows an earlier crackdown by the Noida Police, which froze more than 300 bank accounts linked to FIITJEE and seized Rs 60 lakh in cash. Investigators believe that while the academic futures of nearly 12,000 students were jeopardized, the owners of FIITJEE allegedly made a profit of around Rs 12 crore during the turmoil.
The probe was triggered after numerous FIITJEE centres — including major ones in Ghaziabad’s Raj Nagar, Noida’s Sector 62, and Greater Noida — suddenly shut down without notice in late January, leaving thousands of students stranded just before critical examinations. Shocked and furious parents lodged multiple complaints, demanding accountability.
Three First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed across Ghaziabad, Noida, and Greater Noida. The first FIR, lodged in Ghaziabad, named four individuals. A second FIR in Noida implicated nine FIITJEE officials, while a third case was filed at Greater Noida’s Knowledge Park police station against four others.
The Enforcement Directorate’s raids aim to uncover the financial trail behind the closures, with special focus on whether the profits were illicitly earned at the cost of students’ education.
FIITJEE’s Defense: Blame on Partners and Rivals
In response to mounting public outrage, FIITJEE issued an official statement on January 25, distancing itself from the chaos. The institute blamed “mismanagement and desertion” by local managing partners for the abrupt centre closures, insisting that it was not an institutional decision from the top leadership.
FIITJEE further alleged that rival coaching firms were engaged in poaching their faculty members and spreading misinformation. It denied claims that teachers had resigned en masse over unpaid salaries, labeling such reports as part of a “criminal conspiracy by individuals with vested interests.”
The institute also announced that its legal team was preparing to initiate action against what it described as “malicious prosecutions” aimed at tarnishing its brand.
Despite these denials, the ongoing investigation paints a grim picture. Parents, students, and former faculty members have continued to voice their grievances, accusing FIITJEE of negligence, mismanagement, and lack of transparency.
Impact on Students and the Education Sector
The collapse of FIITJEE centres has left thousands of students — many preparing for life-altering exams like JEE Advanced — without teachers, study material, or refunds. For families who invested significant resources and hope into these programs, the closures represent not just financial loss, but also a psychological blow to the students’ aspirations.
More broadly, this controversy raises questions about the regulation of India’s sprawling private coaching industry, which often operates with minimal oversight despite its enormous influence on students’ careers.
Lessons from a Shattered Legacy
The FIITJEE debacle serves as a stark reminder that even institutions with sterling reputations can falter when financial gain eclipses educational values. As the ED investigation unfolds, it is crucial that accountability is ensured — not just for justice to the affected students, but also to restore faith in the private education sector.
A system that touches the lives and futures of millions must be built on trust, transparency, and responsibility. Without these, even the brightest success stories risk becoming cautionary tales.
(With inputs from agencies)