Investigation Launched After Reports of Fraudulent Admission Calls Linked to Student Data Leak

Authorities in Kolkata are investigating a suspected case of data theft involving the Centralised Admission Portal used for undergraduate college applications across West Bengal. The matter came to light when Ashutosh College, a prominent institution in South Kolkata, reported that several applicants had received suspicious calls offering admissions in exchange for money.

According to the college, the callers appear to have access to sensitive applicant information and are targeting students awaiting admission confirmations. These individuals allegedly claim to offer seats in specific courses under a non-existent “management quota” scheme, demanding large sums of money.

The college administration, upon receiving complaints from students and guardians, promptly filed a report with both the Bhowanipore police and the Kolkata Police cybercrime cell. Investigations are underway to trace the source of the data breach and identify those behind the scam.

A public advisory has also been issued by the college through its social media platforms, warning applicants and their families to remain cautious. The notice emphasizes that Ashutosh College does not operate any management quota for admissions and denounces the misuse of its name in fraudulent activities.

The incident comes at a time when the undergraduate admission process has only recently resumed following a delay caused by legal disputes over the state’s revised OBC reservation list. The centralised admission portal had been on hold for weeks until a Supreme Court ruling allowed the process to restart in late August.

While the first round of admissions has already been completed and classes for new students have begun, concerns remain about how personal data may have been compromised. Officials from the state higher education department have acknowledged the issue and are awaiting findings from the ongoing police investigation to determine where the system may have been breached.

In the meantime, students and guardians have been urged to report any similar fraudulent contact to college authorities immediately, to help prevent further exploitation.