In a significant move against corruption in medical education, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested 34 individuals. This group includes officials from the Union Health Ministry and the National Medical Commission (NMC). They are accused of being part of a large bribery network that manipulated regulations for private medical colleges.
The First Information Report (FIR) names a mix of government officials, doctors, middlemen, and representatives of private institutions. All of them are accused of bribery, leaking confidential information, and rigging inspection processes. Among those arrested are eight officials from the Union Health Ministry, one from the National Health Authority, and five doctors from the NMC’s inspection team. High-ranking figures from private medical colleges are also implicated.
The CBI’s investigation revealed a complex scheme involving the unlawful sharing of sensitive information. This included inspection schedules and identities of assessors, allowing colleges to prepare for inspections in a fraudulent manner. Allegations suggest that bribes were paid to ensure favourable inspection reports.
The investigation began after a tip-off regarding suspicious activities. The CBI conducted raids at over 40 locations across multiple states, including Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Delhi. Eight individuals were arrested during these raids, with some allegedly caught in the act of accepting bribes. One of the key figures arrested is Dr. Manjappa C.N., who is accused of directing others to collect bribes through a hawala operator.
The CBI claims that the network was sophisticated. It enabled unauthorized access to confidential files and allowed the manipulation of the inspection process. Officials allegedly photographed sensitive documents and shared them with college representatives, giving them an unfair advantage during inspections.
Among those named in the FIR is D.P. Singh, who is the Chairman of Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Others include Mayur Raval, Registrar of Gitanjali University, and Suresh Singh Bhadoria, Chairman of Index Medical College. These individuals are accused of colluding with CBI officials to secure illegal advantages for their institutions.
The investigation revealed alarming practices. Colleges reportedly employed ghost faculty, admitted fictitious patients, and tampered with biometric attendance systems to create the appearance of compliance during inspections. This systematic corruption has raised serious concerns about the integrity of medical education in India.
The CBI has also pointed out that the bribes exchanged ran into lakhs of rupees. These payments were often routed through hawala networks and were intended for various purposes, including allegedly funding the construction of a temple.
The scandal has broader implications for the medical education sector. Following the arrests, the NMC has taken strict action against implicated individuals and institutions. A senior doctor serving as an assessor has been blacklisted, and sanctions have been imposed on a private medical college in Karnataka for its involvement in bribery.
As the investigation progresses, the CBI continues to gather evidence and pursue additional leads. The agency has formally charged the accused and will present them before the special court after their remand period. The case highlights the urgent need for reforms in the regulatory framework governing medical colleges to prevent future corruption.
In response to these events, calls for increased transparency and accountability in the medical education sector are growing. Stakeholders are demanding a thorough review of current practices to restore faith in the system and ensure fair access to medical education for aspiring students.
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