Loyola College, a well-known Catholic minority institution in Chennai, already under scrutiny for academic fraud, is now facing fresh allegations of misleading students through a newly launched programme in collaboration with Don Bosco International Media Academy, Paris — run by the Salesians, a Catholic religious order.
Taking serious note of these developments, Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF), a Hyderabad-based legal advocacy group, has filed a complaint with the University Grants Commission (UGC), the University of Madras, and the Tamil Nadu Governor, on June 23, citing serious violations in academics and the current foreign tie-up
The complaint also asserts that the programme violates multiple clauses of the UGC (Academic Collaboration) Regulations, 2022, which govern joint academic ventures between Indian and foreign institutions.
Students misled, Norms flouted!
Loyola College Chennai’s "Diploma in Filmmaking (AI) France” with Don Bosco International Media Academy, Paris blatantly violates @ugc_india rules.
We filed complaint with UGC, University of Madras & Hon'ble Governor of TN seeking urgent action. pic.twitter.com/AEi86jyXKV
— Legal Rights Protection Forum (@lawinforce) June 23, 2025
Earlier, in an RTI reply dated March 21, 2025, the University of Madras categorically denied granting any affiliation, approval, or maintaining any record of foreign collaboration for this diploma.
In its complaint, the LRPF raised serious concerns regarding legitimacy of the diploma programme jointly promoted by Loyola College and Paris-based Don Bosco International Media Academy (DBIMA)
Firstly, LRPF alleges that the course was launched without securing mandatory approvals from either the affiliating university — the University of Madras — or the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Secondly, LRPF points out that Don Bosco International Media Academy does not appear in the top 1000 global rankings of either QS or Times Higher Education. As per the UGC (Academic Collaboration) Regulations, 2022, foreign collaborations are permissible only with universities ranked within the top 1000.
Students enrolled in the programme were reportedly charged Rs 15–20 lakh each, and a batch of seven students has already been sent to France.
The most alarming allegation relates to the potential misuse of international student visa norms. Since the programme lacks formal recognition, the visas issued to students may be subject to revocation, putting them at risk of deportation, future visa denials, and academic and financial losses.
LRPF has urged authorities to initiate a probe under Rule 8 of the UGC Academic Collaboration Regulations; take action against Loyola College under Section 14 of the UGC Act for running an unapproved programme; notify the public through the official UGC website that the programme is unauthorised; coordinate with the French Embassy in India to verify visa statuses and protect affected students; and ensure reimbursement of fees and assistance in academic rehabilitation for the affected students.
Copies of the complaint by LRPF have been marked to the Governor of Tamil Nadu, French consular authorities, and other relevant government bodies.
The University of Madras, which has 131 affiliated colleges, has declined to assume accountability for Loyola College’s controversial “Diploma in Filmmaking (AI), France” programme, instead directing the affiliated institution to respond to queries about the unauthorised collaboration with the Paris-based Don Bosco International Media Academy (DBIMA).
Replying to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by R. Joseph Kennedy — an alumnus of Loyola College, Chennai, and a representative of ECA (Ending Clergy Abuse) in India — the university forwarded the query to Loyola College rather than providing definitive answers regarding programme approvals. The RTI sought clarification on correspondence between the university and college regarding the France exchange programme, potential violations of affiliation bylaws, and the validity of degrees awarded – raising serious questions about why the parent university would defer to its affiliate on matters of regulatory compliance.
This church-run Loyola College had aggressively marketed the programme as a prestigious international qualification and is set to organise a full-fledged graduation ceremony for students, despite the University of Madras now suggesting it never approved the collaboration.
The college enlisted prominent figures from the Tamil film industry, including renowned cinematographer P.C. Sreeram, actor Arya, veteran actor Nassar, and acclaimed editor Lenin. These high-profile associations lent an air of legitimacy that now appears potentially misleading to students who invested significant sums in the programme.
Speaking with Organiser, Kennedy stated, “This isn’t just administrative negligence – it’s a complete failure of the university’s duty to safeguard academic standards and protect students. They routinely dismiss legitimate queries about their operations by hiding behind vague claims of ‘no public interest.’ I won’t be surprised if they respond to this current scandal with similar evasions rather than providing transparent answers.”
Recently, the NHRC sought a report from the UGC and the University of Madras regarding Loyola College’s unauthorised MA Philosophy (Christian Studies) programme being conducted at an unauthorized off-campus Jesuit institute named Satya Nilayam.
Tamil Nadu: NHRC seeks report from UGC, over alleged human rights violations in Chennai’s Loyola College https://t.co/kRi0r7No18
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) April 8, 2025
In addition to academic fraud, Loyola College now faces serious allegations of money laundering, after social activist and YouTuber Maridhas exposed the incorporation of a Dubai-based entity — Loyola Alumni Events LLC — allegedly used to channel international funds. He also revealed a global alumni network being misused for suspicious financial transfers and claimed the college lavishly funded international travel for Jesuit leadership from Chennai and Madurai provinces, raising further red flags.
Amidst this, Xavier Britto, a prominent film Producer of Tamil film Industry, issued a legal notice to Maridhas over a video linking Loyola College’s funds to Britto and his film production activities. Xavier is also an uncle of actor turned politician and founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam party Joseph Vijay.
YouTuber Maridhas alleges that the funds meant for educational purposes in the Loyola College Society were diverted into private ventures, including Britto’s film productions featuring actor turned politician Joseph Vijay. Though, Britto denied these allegations, calling them defamatory, while Loyola College has maintained silence on the matter so far.
It is alleged that soon after Joseph Vijay launched his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), there was a sudden increase in the number of international alumni chapters across various countries. These chapters, which supposedly serve to raise funds for the college, are seen as potentially being part of a larger effort to collect money through channels not directly governed by the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), thereby evading scrutiny from authorities. Loyola College, which is already registered as a society and legally eligible to receive foreign contributions through authorised channels, raised further suspicions by registering a new company in Dubai. There are allegations that a recent event held under the banner of “Loyola Alumni Events LLC” was planned to raise Rs 100–150 crore, with the claim of using the funds to help elevate the college to university status.
Meanwhile, on 27 June, the Metropolitan Court dismissed the case filed by Xavier Britto demanding Rs 2 crore in damages from Maridhas, stating: “No representation for the complainant side. Sworn statement not ready for several hearings. Complainant called absent. Hence the above petition is dismissed.”
என் மீது நடிகர் விஜய் மாமா சேவியர் பிரிட்டோ 2 கோடி கேட்டு தொடுத்த மான நஷ்ட வழக்கை சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றம் தள்ளுபடி செய்து உத்தரவுட்டது!
அய்யோ பாவம் – ஆழ்ந்த அனுதாபங்கள் சார். pic.twitter.com/WFyLzI0oYY
— Maridhas (@MaridhasAnswers) June 30, 2025
It is reported that Joseph Kennedy, who is known to the Loyala’s academic fraud and money laundering allegations against it and part of ending clergy abuse network, wrote an email to the CEO of Don Bosco International Media Academy (DBIMA), accusing both Catholic-run organisations — Loyola College and DBIMA — of academic fraud, ethical complicity, and covering up sexual misconduct allegations tied to the so-called “Diploma in Filmmaking (AI), France”.
Critics argue that Loyala institute is pushing students into deep trouble, as they are sending students to France without academic tie up could lead them into human trafficking, and money laundering accusations are serious for political party, through Education institute channels are serious financial crimes.
Moreover, Loyola College and Don Bosco boast a vast and long-standing presence in academia, both in India and globally, across multiple domains — a network built over decades. Given their reach and influence, any suggestion that such institutions are violating Indian laws is not only alarming but warrants urgent and thorough investigation. Their surface-level clout cannot be allowed to overshadow serious questions about their compliance with Indian law. These allegations strike at the very core of institutional accountability and the ethical conduct of Jesuit-run organisations.
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