Key Points:
Nuh Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr. Manpreet arrested for allegedly taking a ₹50,000 bribe.
ACB claims he demanded ₹5 lakh to help de-seal a private hospital.
The hospital was sealed after a June 4 inspection in Punhana.
Haryana ACB caught the doctor in a trap operation and recovered the cash.
Corruption case registered; investigation is ongoing.
NUH, Haryana: On June 15 the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested a deputy civil surgeon posted in Nuh district after allegedly catching him red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹50,000. Officials identified the accused as Dr. Manpreet, who was serving at Mandikhera Hospital in Punhana. According to investigators, the arrest followed a complaint alleging that the doctor had demanded a much larger sum to facilitate official favors related to a sealed private hospital.
The ACB's Gurugram unit conducted the operation on Sunday after receiving a complaint from a private hospital operator in Punhana. During the trap, officials allegedly recovered the bribe money from the accused doctor's vehicle.
According to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, the complainant and his wife, who holds a General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) qualification, were operating a healthcare facility under the name Labuja Karim Hospital in Punhana. The health department inspected the hospital on June 4 and subsequently sealed the facility. Authorities also registered a criminal case against the couple at Punhana City Police Station.
The complainant alleged that after the action against the hospital, Dr. Manpreet approached him with an offer to help resolve the matter in exchange for money. Investigators claim the deputy civil surgeon demanded ₹5 lakh to facilitate the de-sealing of the hospital and to secure the removal of the complainant and his wife's names from the criminal case.
Unable to arrange the full amount allegedly demanded, the complainant approached the Haryana ACB and informed officials about the alleged bribery request. The complainant reportedly managed to arrange ₹50,000, which became the basis for a trap operation.
Acting on the complaint, the Gurugram unit of the Anti-Corruption Bureau organized a surveillance and trap operation. Investigators claim they caught Dr. Manpreet while he was accepting the money. The agency later recovered the cash from the accused's vehicle and took him into custody.
Following the arrest, authorities registered a case against the deputy civil surgeon under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. Officials have launched a detailed investigation to determine whether any other individuals were involved and whether additional instances of misconduct occurred.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has not publicly disclosed further details regarding the ongoing investigation. Officials indicated that legal proceedings will continue as evidence is examined and statements are recorded.
In 2025, authorities arrested Dr. Jai Bhagwan, then serving as the Chief Medical Officer of Palwal, in a separate bribery case. Other health department officials in districts including Panipat and Fatehabad have also faced investigations and disciplinary action in graft-related matters.
The Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau continues to investigate the allegations against Dr. Manpreet. Authorities are expected to examine financial records, official communications, and evidence collected during the trap operation as part of the ongoing probe. The accused will face further legal proceedings under anti-corruption laws as the investigation moves forward.
(Rh/ARC)