How fraud 'institution' continuing in Bangladesh

by Special Correspondent
May 25, 2011

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/1457/how-fraud-institution-continuing-in-bangladesh

Pearl Fashion Institute [PFI], is an Indian-owned company operating in Bangladesh for past few years, thus selling degrees to innocent students by alluring them with false hopes and promises. PFI pretends to be a legitimate institution in Bangladesh, with 'affiliation' agreement with Nottingham Trent University in UK. It also receives millions of Taka from Bangladeshi students for its various graduation courses in textile technology. But, in reality, PFI has no license from Bangladesh government and the authorities concerned to continue any campus for offering post-graduate degrees. According to specific information, Pearl Fashion Institute only holds a Trade License issue by Dhaka City Corporation to operate as a Vocational Training Center in the country. None of the foreign teachers of PFI, including Ms. Garima Srivastava, who runs the PFI show in Bangladesh, possess any work permit. All of the foreign teachers at PFI are working illegally.

Foreign teachers who are working at Pearl Fashion Institute in Dhaka illegally are:

Ms. Garima Srivastava, Nationality – Indian, Passport Number – Z 2005804; Ms. Shivani Sharma, Nationality – Indian, Passport Number – E 0924871; Mr. Jagadeesh Ramesh, Nationality – Indian, Passport Number – H 6215785; and Ms. Dhwani Khanna, Nationality – Indian, Passport Number – F 7943790, Ms. Rina, Nationality – Indian. There are few more Indian nationals illegally working at Pearl Fashion Institute, names of who could not be collected.

On the other hand, the following Bangladeshi nationals are working at PFI:

Tamim Jahan [Teacher], Tapan Kumar Sarkar [Teacher], Arif Masum Molla [Teacher], Sanjidha Rahman [Teacher], Mili [Teacher], Shehabul Alam [Teacher], Belal Ahmed Khan [Accounts officer], Ruhul Amin [Lab Assistant], Milon [Receptionist], Jony [Office Peon], Bakul [Cleaner] and Sukur [Cleaner].

It may be mentioned here that, Pearl Fashion Institute is currently employing more than four foreign nationals while it is also employing almost similar number of locals. But, according to Bangladeshi law, any organization is only allowed to recruit one foreign national against 4 locals. In this case, PFI is violating the existing law of the land.

It may also be mentioned here that, according to Bangladesh Government Gazette Notification dated July 18, 2010, section 39: "Without prior permission of the government, no foreign individual or organization shall be allowed to establish any 'campus' of any educational institution in Bangladesh. Nor any certificate course or degrees or diplomas under any foreign university or institution shall be offered to Bangladeshis.

Pearl Fashion Institute has already violated the above mentioned circulation of the Bangladesh government, which is surely a criminal offense.

Following publication of reports in Weekly Blitz, Bangladeshi intelligence agencies are already collecting information on Pearl Fashion Institute as well as those foreign nationals who are working illegally in it. Anticipating this, Garima Srivastava has already continuing frantic efforts in salvaging PFI as well as the foreign nationals in it from severe legal consequence.

It may be mentioned here that, Pearl Fashion Institute is operating an illegal campus at House No. 11, Road No. 6, Baridhara, Dhaka, which is close to a number of foreign missions located on the same road. Pearl Fashion Institute is also using electric connection on commercial basis, though it is using electricity for industrial purpose also.

On the other hand, Garima Srivastava and her gang of foreign nationals are smuggling millions of Taka every month from Bangladesh, which is a serious offense under Money Laundering Act of the land.

It may be mentioned here that, most of the foreign nationals at Pearl fashion Institute are receiving US$ 2,500-3,500 per month. Pearl Fashion Institute has already cheated hundreds of Bangladeshi students with its fake degree courses and continuing the same fraudulent activities till date.

Stern action should be immediately initiated against Pearl Fashion Institute and the foreign nationals at PFI should be arrested forthwith.

REJOINDER FROM PFI

That we came to know about three articles dated 17th May, 19th May and 25^th May 201 1 published in your weekly tabloid. We have found that in the said articles erroneous and damaging allegations have been raised against us which are false and hence we seek corrective action in publishing our following rejoinder in your said weekly tabloid:

"That Pearl Fashion Institute has been conducting Diploma Programs and Undergraduate Programs of the Nottingham Trent University as a Delegated Centre complying with all legal formalities. All of its foreign employees are working after obtaining work permit from the Board of Investment. Pearl Fashion Institute did not make any profit by conducting the said courses, nor has any foreign remittance ever been sent to India.

The said Institution has been conducting its activities by paying all utility services with the Utility Service Provider. Defamatory and false articles published in the said tabloid need to be withdrawn within three working days and no further erroneous and misleading statements should be published henceforth in BLITZ. We are also demanding unconditional apology from BLITZ for publishing the said defamatory articles or else we will be compelled to take necessary legal action against BLITZ and against the concerned persons".

Garima Srivastava

Pearl Fashion Institute

House 11, Road 6

Baridhara, Dhaka

Bangladesh

Telephone: 8857763

Web: www.pearlinstitute.com

OUR REPORTER SAYS:

Following receipt of the above letter via email [which is unsigned], we have sent a mail to Pearl Fashion Institute requesting them to produce documents in favor of their claims. The mail requesting such evidences was sent on May 28, 2011.

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