Porbandar, January 19, 2026: In Porbandar, the Shri J.N. Ruparel Institute of Management, an MBA college run by the Swaminarayan Trust, is facing serious allegations of fraud. The college’s principal, Sumit Bhai, has been accused of defrauding individuals of lakhs of rupees under the pretext of arranging opportunities to go abroad.
One of the complainants, Dr. Dharmadev Hiteshkumar Joshi, a well-known cosmetic dental surgeon from Ranavav had filed a complaint in the court. An affidavit was submitted on Saturday, January 17, 2026, and a summon is expected to be issued against the principal early next week.
Dr. Joshi stated that the principal, Sumit Bhai, claimed to be an agent of a Chandigarh-based agency and demanded ₹12-13 lakh from the doctor for facilitating him to go abroad.
Dr. Joshi paid ₹1.5 lakh, but even after a long period of waiting the promised services were never delivered. When he requested a refund, the cheques issued by the principal bounced twice. Photographs of these cheques were published by Bhaskar English.
Dr. Joshi claims there are 15-20 other victims in Porbandar who were allegedly defrauded similarly. All meetings and transactions reportedly took place in the principal’s office, and video evidence of the alleged fraud also exists.
In addition to fraud, the institute faces allegations of negligence. Due to administrative lapses, the last six months of studies for 42 students have reportedly been wasted. When questioned, the principal admitted to making a mistake but has taken no further responsibility. The videos of agitated students are circulating online on various social media platforms.
(Rh/VK)