Barely two years after it was first pulled up, a Jogeshwari-based pharmacy college has once again landed in hot water for charging students more than the officially approved fees. In August 2025, around 30 BPharm students of HK Pharmacy College approached the Fee Regulation Authority (FRA), alleging that the institute was demanding Rs 21,000 annually over the sanctioned fee of Rs 1,34,000, which already covers tuition and development charges, as displayed on the college website.
“We have been paying the extra amount via cash or UPI. Whenever we ask why, we are told vaguely that it is for the betterment of students,” said a third-year BPharm student. The complainants demanded a refund of Rs 42,000 collected over two years. FRA officials confirmed they received the complaint, but it was later withdrawn. “The college heads assured us that our issues would be resolved. Under pressure, we took back our complaint,” said another student.
The institute was demanding Rs 21,000 annually over the sanctioned fee. Pic/By Special Arrangement
This is not the first time the institute has faced such allegations. FRA sources told mid-day that in October 2024, junior students had complained about an additional R26,000 being levied under 13 different heads, including “alumni fees,” “impulse magazines and journals,” “scientific activities,” “university exam fees,” and “sessional and practical exams.” Nearly 40 complainants then received refunds.
Despite that, no action was taken. “Since the college refunded the excess amount, the FRA resolved the 2024 case,” said FRA member Adv Dharmendra Mishra. But this time, the authority may not let the matter slide. “The college will be called in for a meeting next week, and if discrepancies are found, penal action may follow,” Mishra added.
Repeated attempts to contact Principal Dr Tushar Lokhande went unanswered. When mid-day tried to contact Chairman Wasim Javed, the college office said, “The principal is the only responding authority in such matters.”
