Pune, January 13, 2025 — In a dramatic turn of events, the Bank of Baroda has seized the premises of Abhinav Education Society’s College of Engineering and Technology located in Vadwadi, near Bhor, Pune. The action follows a court order concerning unpaid dues amounting to ₹32 crore. The confiscation affects not only the 14-hectare campus but also hostel facilities, leaving hundreds of students without accommodation and disrupting their education.
800 Hostel Students Evicted, Educational Future at Stake
Around 800 students residing in the hostels were forced to vacate, with many seen leaving the campus in tears. The abrupt eviction has drawn widespread criticism from parents and students alike. The college, which has been operational since 2009, offers six diploma and five degree programs in engineering. Additionally, an English medium school on the same campus, with 250 enrolled students, has also been affected.
One of the displaced students lamented, “We were preparing for our exams scheduled from January 17, and now we don’t know where we will go. Our future hangs in uncertainty.” The majority of students hail from rural regions of Maharashtra, further compounding the logistical and emotional challenges they face.
Seized Assets Valued at ₹132 Crore
The seized property encompasses a 4.19 lakh square feet building, equipment worth approximately ₹100 crore, and total infrastructure valued at ₹132 crore. Despite the scale of the assets, the financial distress that led to this drastic measure has raised questions about institutional management and accountability.
Growing Protests and Calls for Government Intervention
Angry parents have staged protests demanding swift government intervention to secure their children’s educational continuity. “We trusted this institution with our children’s future. Authorities must step in to find an immediate resolution,” urged one parent. The incident has ignited a broader discussion about the financial stability of private educational institutions and the regulatory mechanisms overseeing them.
Potential Solutions Under Discussion
While the Bank of Baroda has followed due legal process, stakeholders are calling for negotiations to facilitate an alternative resolution. The Maharashtra State Education Department has yet to issue an official statement. Observers anticipate that dialogues between the bank, college management, and government authorities will be necessary to chart a path forward and minimize long-term academic disruptions.
As the situation develops, the fate of more than 1,650 students hangs in the balance, spotlighting the need for systemic reforms to prevent similar crises in the future.
