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New Delhi, July 6, 2025 — The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has exposed a sweeping bribery and corruption racket in the accreditation of medical colleges, implicating senior officials, intermediaries, and representatives from private institutions across several states. The investigation, which has led to the arrest of six individuals including three doctors, centers on six major illegal monetary transactions allegedly used to subvert statutory inspections and regulatory approvals for medical colleges.
Scope and Modus Operandi
The CBI’s First Information Report (FIR), registered on June 30, names 34 individuals—including employees of the Union Health Ministry and the National Medical Commission (NMC)—as well as several unidentified persons. The probe has so far triggered raids at more than 40 locations in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
According to the FIR, public servants in the Ministry of Health and NMC colluded with private individuals and institutions in a multi-state corruption network. Bribes, often routed through hawala channels, were allegedly paid to manipulate inspection outcomes, leak confidential regulatory information, and fabricate records to secure favorable reports and approvals.
Key Allegations and Transactions
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Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SRIMSR), Raipur: A bribe of ₹55 lakh was allegedly arranged for the NMC inspection team ahead of a statutory visit. The payment, coordinated by senior officials and intermediaries, was distributed among inspectors, with one share delivered to an inspector’s spouse.
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Dr. Jitu Lal Meena and Dr. Virendra Kumar: Dr. Meena is accused of accepting bribes from several colleges, with funds channeled via hawala operators. Part of the illicit proceeds was reportedly used to construct a Hanuman temple in Rajasthan at a cost of ₹75 lakh.
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Gayatri Medical College, Visakhapatnam: The director allegedly paid ₹50 lakh through intermediaries to settle a regulatory matter with the NMC.
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Father Colombo Institute of Medical Sciences, Warangal: Two payments totaling ₹66 lakh were reportedly made through formal bank transfers to secure favorable inspections and regulatory approvals.
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Index Medical College, Indore/Malwanchal University: The chairman allegedly paid ministry officials to leak inspection information and engaged in fabricating faculty records, manipulating biometric attendance, and issuing fake degrees in exchange for bribes.
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Advance Disclosure Racket: Health ministry officials are accused of leaking confidential files and inspection schedules to intermediaries and college representatives, soliciting substantial bribes for these unlawful disclosures.
Wider Impact
The scam has highlighted deep-rooted corruption in the regulation of medical education, with the CBI stating that these acts “undermine the integrity of the regulatory framework and jeopardise the quality of medical education and public health standards in the country”.
The accused face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Prevention of Corruption Act, including criminal conspiracy, bribery, and abetment of offences.
Disclaimer:
The information presented in this article is based on ongoing investigations and official statements cited in the CBI’s FIR and related reports. All individuals named are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The details may evolve as the investigation progresses.
