What is the Anatomy of the Medical College Scam Involving Hawala Deals?
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Synopsis
A shocking CBI investigation has unveiled a sophisticated bribery network in medical colleges, implicating college officials, bureaucrats, and hawala operators. Discover how this scheme jeopardizes medical education integrity.
Key Takeaways
- CBI investigation exposes bribery schemes
- Corruption involving medical college officials
- Hawala operators facilitate illegal transactions
- Manipulated inspection reports
- Urgent need for regulatory reforms
New Delhi, July 5 (NationPress) An investigation by the CBI into the bribery-for-accreditation scheme in medical colleges has revealed a sophisticated network involving college administrators, corrupt officials, inspectors from the medical education regulatory body, and hawala operators who facilitated a continuous flow of illicit payments.
The FIR lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation indicates that certain public officials within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission (NMC) conspired with private individuals and institutions to undermine the statutory inspection protocols overseeing medical education.
The alleged crimes reportedly unfolded in various cities, including Raipur, Bangalore, Indore, Udaipur, Delhi, and others during 2024–25.
Notable individuals named in the FIR include Dr. Jitu Lal Meena, Joint Director at the National Health Authority, Dr. Manjappa CN, a Professor at Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences and a member of the NMC inspection team, and Mayur Raval, Registrar at Geetanjali University, Udaipur.
The CBI FIR identifies three NMC inspectors: Dr. Chaitra MS, Dr. P. Rajini Reddy, and Dr. Ashok Shelke.
One of the most severe allegations in the federal agency’s FIR involves a bribe amounting to Rs 55 lakh, reportedly orchestrated by Dr. Manjappa during an inspection at Raipur's Shri Rawatpura Institute of Medical Science and Research (SRIMSR).
The Institute had sought recognition from the Union Health Ministry and the NMC.
The FIR states that “Dr. Manjappa directed an associate in Bangalore to gather the bribe from a hawala operator and distribute shares among fellow assessors.”
It is alleged that the entire inspection team was involved in this scheme. The inspection reports of various colleges were also manipulated to yield favorable results.
The CBI asserts that Dr. Meena conspired with an associate from Varanasi to collect bribes from several colleges, diverting the funds into personal projects, including the construction of a Hanuman temple that cost Rs 75 lakh.
In a similar case, Index Medical College in Indore, led by Suresh Singh Bhadoria, is accused of fabricating faculty records, manipulating Aadhaar-enabled biometric systems, and issuing fraudulent academic degrees and experience certificates through Malwanchal University.
The FIR highlights that such acts “compromise the integrity of the regulatory framework and threaten the quality of medical education and public health standards nationwide.”
Following the filing of the case against SRIMSR, a sting operation was conducted in Bengaluru, resulting in the recovery of a bribe of Rs 55 lakh. Of this, Rs 16.62 lakh was seized from Dr. Chaitra's husband, Ravindran, and Rs 38.38 lakh from Dr. Manjappa's associate, Satish A.
On July 1, the CBI apprehended Dr. Manjappa, Dr. Chaitra, Dr. Ashok, and Atul Kumar Tiwari from Raipur. Additionally, Satish A. and Ravichandra K. were arrested in Bengaluru and brought back to Raipur.
In Raipur Special Court, the CBI requested a 5-day remand for all six arrested individuals. The court has remanded them to CBI custody until July 7.
Point of View
This scandal underscores a significant breach of trust in our healthcare education system. It highlights the urgent need for reform in regulatory processes to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of medical qualifications, safeguarding public health.
NationPress
30/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the bribe amount involved in the medical college scam?
The bribe amounts involved in the medical college scam reportedly reached up to Rs 55 lakh.
Which cities were affected by the scam?
The scam reportedly affected cities including Raipur, Bangalore, Indore, Udaipur, and Delhi.
Who are some of the key individuals implicated in the scam?
Key individuals implicated include Dr. Jitu Lal Meena, Dr. Manjappa CN, and Dr. Chaitra MS, among others.
What actions were taken by the CBI regarding this case?
The CBI filed FIRs, conducted arrests, and recovered significant amounts of bribes during the investigation.
What impact does this scam have on medical education?
The scam jeopardizes the integrity of the regulatory framework and compromises the quality of medical education and public health standards.
