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A bribery scandal has exposed deep issues in India’s medical education system, with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealing a network of corruption involving college administrators, senior officials, middlemen, and a spiritual leader. The scheme, which allowed substandard medical colleges to gain approvals, involves crores of rupees and spans states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and others.
The CBI’s investigation began in late June with a sting operation at the Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Six people, including three National Medical Commission (NMC) doctors, Dr. Ashok Kumar, Dr. Sanjay Shah, and Dr. Manish Kumar, were caught accepting a ₹55 lakh bribe to provide a favorable inspection report. This discovery led to a broader probe, and on June 30, the CBI filed a case against 35 individuals. Among them are DP Singh, former UGC Chairman and current Chancellor of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and Ravi Shankar Maharaj, a spiritual leader known as Rawatpura Sarkar, who chairs the Raipur institute.
According to the CBI, the group used fake faculty, fabricated patient records, and manipulated biometric attendance systems to pass NMC inspections. Bribes, often funnelled through hawala networks or disguised as legitimate bank transfers, ranged from ₹50 lakh to over ₹4 crore per college. For instance, Father Colombo Institute of Medical Sciences in Warangal, Telangana, allegedly paid over ₹4 crore to address regulatory shortcomings, while Gayatri Medical College in Visakhapatnam paid ₹50 lakh to avoid penalties. Suresh Singh Bhadoria, Chairman of Index Medical College in Indore, is also named in the case.
Middlemen played a key role. Virender Kumar, based in southern India, allegedly coordinated with individuals like B. Hari Prasad, Krishna Kishore, and Ankam Rambabu to arrange fake faculty and records. Jeetu Lal Meena, an NMC inspection board member, is accused of taking bribes through Indra Bali Mishra, known as ‘Guruji,’ in Varanasi. Some of these funds reportedly supported a temple construction project in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, linked to Rawatpura Sarkar’s network.
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The CBI estimates over 40 medical colleges across India secured approvals through these tactics. Raids in cities like Delhi, Bhopal, Raipur, Indore, Hyderabad, and Chennai uncovered fake inspection reports, forged documents, and evidence of a Delhi-based consultancy firm’s involvement. Eight people have been arrested, including the three NMC doctors, a retired officer named Sanjay Shukla, and several middlemen. The investigation suggests of a well-organized operation that exploited gaps in the NMC’s oversight.
The NMC has barred the involved colleges from adding MBBS or postgraduate seats for the 2025–26 academic year and blacklisted the implicated inspectors. The Union Health Ministry, which oversees the NMC, is facing criticism for weak monitoring, and there are calls for stricter regulations and independent audits. The involvement of figures like DP Singh, a respected academic, and Rawatpura Sarkar, a spiritual leader with a large following, has surprised many, raising questions about influence in education.
Students and parents are concerned about the value of degrees from these colleges, fearing substandard training could produce underqualified doctors. Medical associations are urging a nationwide review of NMC-approved institutions to restore confidence. The CBI is continuing its investigation, with more arrests possible as new evidence emerges. This scandal highlights the need for better oversight to ensure India’s medical education system produces competent professionals.
