CBI Uncovers Massive Medical College Scam, Rocking India's Healthcare Sector

In a sweeping operation that has sent shockwaves across India's medical education landscape, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unearthed a multi-crore scam involving top regulatory bodies, private medical colleges, and influential individuals. The investigation, which began with raids on the Pharmacy Council of India chief Montu Patel, has now expanded significantly, shining a harsh light on systemic corruption within the medical education sector.

A Web of Deceit and Corruption

The CBI's meticulous investigation has revealed a sophisticated racket operating within the NMC’s IT and UG-PG boards, allegedly in collusion with officials from the Union Health Ministry. This "well-oiled" machinery facilitated the granting of approvals to numerous private medical colleges despite blatant deficiencies. These institutions reportedly lacked essential requirements, including adequate patient numbers, proper infrastructure, and even legitimate faculty, often resorting to "ghost faculty" to mislead inspectors.

Large sums of cash have been recovered during the raids, including a significant amount of Rs 50 lakh from a joint director of the NMC, underscoring the deep-rooted corruption. Among those implicated in the FIR is the operator of Swaminarayan Medical College in Kalol, Gujarat, indicating the widespread nature of the alleged malpractices.

Nationwide Raids and Key Accused

Acting on complaints that reached the highest echelons of authority, the CBI conducted simultaneous raids across more than 40 locations in Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. FIRs have been lodged against the operators of 36 medical colleges, and so far, six individuals, including three doctors, have been arrested.

Prominent figures named in the complaint include Swami Bhagatvatsaldasji of Swaminarayan Medical College in Kalol, Chhattisgarh-based spiritual leader Ravishankar Maharaj (also known as Rawatpura Sarkar), and the chairman of Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur. The involvement of such diverse figures highlights the complex network of individuals allegedly benefiting from the scam.

Modus Operandi: Falsification and Bribery

The scam's modus operandi involved a series of deceptive practices:

• Dummy Faculty and Fake Inspections: Colleges allegedly employed "dummy faculty" and orchestrated "fake inspections" to present a facade of compliance.

• Falsified Patient Records: Patient records were reportedly falsified to meet regulatory requirements, creating an illusion of adequate clinical exposure for students.

• Leaked Confidential Files: Officials within the Ministry of Health and the NMC allegedly disclosed inspection schedules and internal notes to college representatives in exchange for bribes, compromising the integrity of the approval process.

• Bribery Channels: Bribes were routed through various channels, including hawala and banking networks, to secure illegal regulatory approvals.

One of the key accused, DP Singh, former UGC Chairman and current TISS Chancellor, has also been named in the FIR, along with Suresh Singh Bhadoria of Indore’s Index Medical College.

The Role of Influential Figures

The involvement of individuals like Rawatpura Sarkar, a self-styled godman with reported connections to politicians and bureaucrats, adds another layer of complexity to the scandal. While this is not the first time his trust has faced accusations of irregularities, his name in the FIR underscores the alleged intersection of religious influence and regulatory corruption.

Middlemen played a crucial role in facilitating these illicit transactions. Jitu Lal Meena, a former member of the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB), has been identified as a central figure, orchestrating bribes and leaking confidential information. Reports suggest some illicit funds were even diverted for personal projects, such as the construction of a temple in Rajasthan.

Exposing the Nexus: From Indore to Southern India

The probe gained momentum when the CBI apprehended six individuals, including three doctors, at the Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SRIMSR) in Raipur, accepting a Rs 55 lakh bribe for a favorable inspection report. This initial breakthrough quickly expanded to include over 40 medical colleges suspected of obtaining recognition through bribery and falsified records.

The investigation has also uncovered a nexus extending to southern India. Agents in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other southern states allegedly arranged "dummy faculty" and "fake patients" for inspections, with large bribes, sometimes exceeding Rs 4 crore, routed through official banking channels to secure clearances for institutions like Father Colombo Institute of Medical Sciences in Warangal.

Consequences and Future Outlook

The CBI has registered cases under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. As of now, only one person, Director Atul Tiwari, has been arrested, but investigations are ongoing, with more arrests and revelations anticipated.

This widespread scandal has ignited significant concern and uproar within medical circles across India. The CBI emphasizes that such actions not only undermine public health standards but also erode the credibility of the entire regulatory framework governing medical education. As the investigation progresses, the medical community and the public alike await further disclosures, hoping for accountability and reforms to safeguard the integrity of India's healthcare future.

(Rh/Dr. Divina Johncy Rosario/MSM/SE)