CBI arrests Chairman of private medical college for allegedly bribing members of the MCI 

The Central Bureau of Investigation is in Puducherry to investigate a corruption case where the chairman of a private medical college is alleged to have bribed some officials of the Medical Council of India (MCI) for information regarding their inspections.

After receiving a tip-off about the malpractice, the CBI conducted an inquiry and arrested Colonel Ajay Kumar Singh from Delhi on Monday. It also arrested MCI staff Sandosh Kumar, Sushil Kumar and Sachin Kumar for their support to the accused.

During the investigation it was found that Ramachandiran, Chairman of Vengateswara Medical College in Puducherry, allegedly paid Rs 10 lakh to Colonel Singh to obtain information from the Medical Council of India

Before granting recognition to medical colleges every year, the MCI carries an out inspection in the institutions to check their facilities and adherence of norms. It also evaluates the faculty and infrastructure in these institutions and then fixes the student intake for that year.

Colonel Ajay Kumar Singh, a military doctor and a member of the inspection committee used to reportedly leak details like inspection dates and the Medical Council of India's decisions

Money amounting to Rs 2 crore and several documents were seized in raids conducted in nearly nine places in Delhi, Puducherry and Chennai. During the investigation it was found that Ramachandiran, chairman of Vengateswara Medical College in Puducherry, allegedly paid Rs 10 lakh to Ajay to obtain information from the MCI. 

Sources further said that Santhosh Kumar was a lower division clerk who had close contact with Ramachandiran  shared many details with him. Ramachandiran, who allegedly paid lakhs for the bribe was reportedly arrested on Tuesday and is being interrogated. 

(This story was published in the New Indian Express)