Raipur
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted searches at over 15 locations across 10 states in connection with an alleged medical college scam.
The states covered by the raids include Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The ED team from Delhi is currently investigating private medical colleges in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
Action linked to CBI FIR
The ED’s action stems from a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 30 June this year. The CBI case led to the arrest of six accused, including three doctors.
The FIR alleges that certain officials of the National Medical Commission (NMC) and other government employees leaked confidential inspection-related information to medical colleges in exchange for bribes.
College managers and middlemen allegedly used this leaked information to manipulate parameters and fraudulently obtain approval for academic courses.
The ED searches are taking place at the premises of seven medical colleges in different states and the residences of several individuals named in the CBI’s FIR.
CBI’s previous nationwide searches
Five months ago, the CBI had conducted extensive searches at more than 40 locations across Karnataka, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh. Authorities seized several crucial documents and digital evidence during those raids.
CBI officials stated that preliminary investigation revealed the accused were using various strategies to influence the inspection process.
Six arrested, including three doctors
The CBI arrested six individuals, including three doctors, for allegedly taking bribes to ensure a favourable recognition report for a medical college. The Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SRIMSR) in Naya Raipur is reportedly linked to the scam.
A bribe of ₹2.5 crore was allegedly taken to secure NMC approval for Gayatri Medical College, Visakhapatnam, and sent through a Delhi hawala channel.
Chandan Kumar, an official from the Ministry of Health, allegedly leaked confidential ministry information to Mayur Raval, Registrar of Geetanjali University, Udaipur.
Mayur Raval, in collusion with R. Randeep Nair of Tech-Infi Solutions, allegedly provided prior inspection information to several colleges, allowing them to make fraudulent preparations.
Colleges like Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Sciences (Gujarat) and National Capital Region Institute of Medical Sciences (Meerut) are mentioned in the case for allegedly fabricating reports in their favour.
