CBI Probes Rs 5,400 Crore Pharma College Bribery, PCI's Montu Patel flees

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a probe into alleged corruption and irregularities in approvals given to pharma colleges by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). This investigation comes a week after CBI officers raided the Ahmedabad bungalow of PCI president Montu Patel and his Delhi office.  

The raid followed widely reported accusations over the last week that Patel has extorted over Rs 5,000 crore by granting approvals for colleges in exchange for bribes. The PCI, a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is the sole authority that sets the regulatory standards for pharma colleges in India. 

Patel, who was only 35 years old when he became president of the top body in 2022, was also at the helm of other pharmacist associations and bodies. He allegedly renewed the validity of diploma colleges for bribes paid on an annual basis, according to an NDTV report.

Out of over 12,000 pharmacy colleges run by PCI, 870 were granted approval within 13 days in 2023-24, it is alleged. Patel has also been accused of buying out votes in PCI’s internal elections. The recent investigation launched by the CBI will also probe if money exchanged hands in this process.

Patel is reportedly on the run since the searches of his house. There are reports that the Enforcement Directorate may join the CBI probe as well.  

Charges Against Patel 

The CBI is currently investigating the speedy approvals granted to pharma colleges by the PCI, headed by Patel. Allegedly, huge sums were paid as bribes in granting these approvals. So far, it is alleged that Patel and his aides granted affiliation to colleges lacking in infrastructure, qualified staff, and even some with "ghost" faculty, existing only on paper, Desh Gujarat reported.

Patel is also being investigated for forcefully retaining his post after losing the election for the Gujarat unit of the PCI and nominating himself from a Union Territory to stay in control. He allegedly silenced those who had helped him retain his position.

The CBI is conducting a separate probe into allegations that he booked rooms worth Rs 2.75 lakh at a hotel in Delhi to host those who would vote for him in the PCI election. After winning, he strengthened his hold on the PCI by appointing associates to key roles in the council and giving extensive rights to selected individuals, reported NDTV.

Patel was previously involved in the IELTS scam case, with his wife Khushboo Vora accused of appearing for the test for other candidates. According to news reports, she had collected approximately Rs 300 crore through this process.