Overview
This lecture covers the exposure of a massive medical college bribery scam in India, implicating top officials, educationists, and a self-styled godman, with details of the investigation, methods of fraud, and key accused individuals.
Scale and Nature of the Scam
- The CBI uncovered one of India's largest medical college scams spanning multiple states.
- The scam involved senior officials, educationists, middlemen, and godman Rawatpura Sarkar.
- 35 individuals were named in the FIR, including high-profile bureaucrats and education leaders.
- Only one arrest (director Atul Tiwari) has been made so far.
Methods of Fraud
- Dummy faculty, fake inspections, and leaked confidential files were used to secure approvals.
- Crores of rupees were exchanged via hawala and banking channels for illegal medical college licenses.
- Officials from the Ministry of Health were also implicated.
Investigation Details
- The probe began with a bribe-for-inspection case at Sri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SRIMSR) in Raipur.
- Doctors were caught accepting Rs 55 lakh for a favourable inspection report.
- The CBI recovered large amounts of cash from inspection team members' premises.
Role of Rawatpura Sarkar (Godman)
- Rawatpura Sarkar (Ravishankar Maharaj) is named in the FIR and linked to influential politicians and bureaucrats.
- His trust had previous allegations of land encroachments and running unapproved colleges.
- The trust has denied receiving government favours.
Nationwide Network
- More than 40 medical colleges across India are suspected of obtaining recognition through bribery and false records.
- Index Medical College in Indore was running a parallel operation with ghost faculty and fake attendance.
Modus Operandi and Key Players
- Bhadoria and Rawatpura Sarkar allegedly charged Rs 3–5 crore from institutions to guarantee medical recognition.
- Officials in Delhi leaked internal documents to agents who notified college management in advance.
- Jitu Lal Meena, former MARB member, acted as a middleman and used illicit funds for personal projects.
Southern India Connections
- Agents in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana arranged for dummy faculty and fake patients during inspections.
- Bribes were routed through bank channels, making them appear legitimate.
- Institutions like Father Colombo Institute paid over Rs 4 crore for clearances.
Key Terms & Definitions
- CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) — India’s premier investigating agency for major crimes and corruption.
- Hawala — An informal method of transferring money without physical movement of cash.
- FIR (First Information Report) — A document prepared by police upon receiving information about a crime.
- Dummy Faculty — Fake or non-existent faculty listed to meet regulatory requirements.
- Ghost Faculty — Individuals listed as employees who do not actually work at the institution.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the details of the scam for understanding corruption in medical education.
- Follow updates from CBI investigations for further developments.
- Consider reading related news on medical education reform and regulatory oversight.