Siliguri, February 9, 2026 – The Sikkim Government has taken swift action in response to allegations of fraud at Asha Paramedical and Nursing Institute in Salbari, Siliguri, where students, including many from Sikkim, claim they were misled into enrolling in unrecognized courses, resulting in significant financial and academic losses.
Following directives from Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, a high-level delegation met Siliguri Police Commissioner C. Sudhakar to press for urgent legal measures. The team, comprising Sonam Choppel Sherpa (Chairman, Sikkim Students Welfare Board), Tshering Wangchuk Lepcha (Additional Political Secretary to the CM), Ujwal Rai (Special Secretary, Education Department), and Sharmista Pradhan (Additional Secretary, Home Protocol), highlighted the distress faced by Sikkim students. They emphasized the emotional, financial, and educational setbacks, urging stringent action against those responsible and relief for the victims and their families.
Commissioner Sudhakar briefed the delegation on the progress, revealing that four individuals have already been arrested in connection with the case. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the main accused and other associates involved in the alleged scam. He assured full cooperation, stating that the investigation is a priority and that the Siliguri Police are committed to preventing future incidents.
The controversy stems from complaints by students who allege the institute promised admission to recognized paramedical and GNM nursing programs, collecting substantial fees under the guise of legitimate professional training. However, upon completion, they received vocational certificates with no professional value, discovering the institute was not affiliated as a paramedical or nursing institution. Students also reported inadequate laboratory facilities, equipment, and academic infrastructure throughout the course. Protests against the misrepresentation reportedly led the administrators to go into hiding.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, upon receiving complaints from affected students, has requested the concerned department to investigate the matter urgently. In a letter to Commissioner Sudhakar, he called for cancellation of the institute’s registration if fraud is confirmed, penal action against the administration, and safeguards for students, including fee refunds.
The case has raised concerns about the regulation of private vocational and educational institutes in the region, particularly those targeting aspiring healthcare professionals from neighboring states like Sikkim. Authorities are expected to expand the probe to uncover any broader network of similar fraudulent operations. The Sikkim delegation’s intervention has been welcomed by student groups, who hope it will expedite justice and compensation.
