Manav Bharati University fake degree case: ED seeks to declare two accused as fugitive economic offenders

New Delhi [India], September 26 : The Shimla Sub-Zonal Unit of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has filed an application under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA), 2018 against two accused in connection with a case related to the alleged sale of fake degrees by Manav Bharati University, Laddo, Sultanpur, Solan, the agency said in a release on Thursday.
The application has been submitted before the Special Court (PMLA), Special Judge, District and Sessions Court, Shimla.
According to a statement, the application has been filed against Ashoni Kanwar W/o Raj Kumar Rana, and Mandeep Rana S/o Raj Kumar Rana.
As a result of the alleged criminal activity, i.e., the sale of fake degrees, Rajkumar Rana and his associates reportedly obtained Proceeds of Crime (POC) to the tune of Rs 387 crore, approx.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Ashoni Kanwar and Mandeep Rana were residing in Australia. "Both the persons were summoned to join the investigation, but they never joined the investigations," the agency said.
Subsequently, the ED filed a prosecution complaint before the Special Court (PMLA) on December 12, 2022. The court took cognizance of the complaint on January 4, 2023, and issued summons to Ashoni Kanwar and Mandeep Rana, which they did not respond to. Pursuant thereto, open-ended nonbailable warrants have been issued by the court on November 4, 2023, against them, the agency said.
Therefore, the aforesaid application has been filed before the Special Court, Shimla, praying to initiate the proceedings against the said persons under the provisions of Section 10 of the said act and to declare both of them fugitive economic offenders under the provisions of Section 12 of the FEOA, 2018, it added.