New Delhi: A massive corruption racket has rocked India’s medical education system. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered a widespread scam that spans across seven states and over 40 private medical colleges. This may be the largest medical education scandal in the country’s history.
What began as a sting operation in Raipur has now exposed deep-rooted corruption involving senior bureaucrats, powerful businessmen, and a self-styled godman. The investigation reveals how the system meant to regulate medical education was manipulated for money.
It All Started in Raipur
In March 2024, CBI officials raided the Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Medical Sciences & Research in Raipur. They caught three inspectors from the National Medical Commission (NMC) red-handed. The inspectors were accepting ₹55 lakh in cash from college representatives.
This wasn’t a one-off case. The raid opened a floodgate of evidence—emails, call logs, and internal documents. These pointed to a much larger operation. The CBI soon launched a nationwide probe.
The Method: How the Largest Medical Scam Worked
The scam wasn’t random. It followed a clear pattern:
- Insiders shared inspection dates and names of assessors. This gave colleges time to prepare fake setups.
- Colleges used dummy faculty and created fake hospital records. Some even admitted fake patients to appear more competent.
- Middlemen arranged bribes. These were paid through cash, shell companies, and even hawala channels.
- Officials leaked confidential documents. These included inspection formats and internal approval notes.
The goal? To win approval from the NMC. Many colleges wanted clearance for new courses or additional MBBS seats. They didn’t mind paying crores to get it.
Who’s Involved? A High-Profile Cast
The CBI named more than 35 people in its FIR. This includes college owners, NMC inspectors, health ministry officials, and middlemen. The list is shocking.
D.P. Singh
A former UGC chairman and current TISS chancellor, Singh allegedly acted as a fixer. He reportedly arranged meetings between college promoters and key officials.
Rawatpura Sarkar (Ravishankar Maharaj)
He’s not just a godman—he’s also the head of a major college chain. Investigators believe he helped move bribes and influence inspections. His name appears in several phone conversations and bank transactions.
Suresh Singh Bhadoria
He runs the Index Medical College in Indore. This college has faced scrutiny before. Now, it’s again in the spotlight for allegedly bribing officials.
NMC Inspectors
Three of them were caught taking money. They allegedly approved fake reports in exchange for cash.
Middlemen
Former bureaucrats and politically connected people acted as go-betweens. They managed deals and ensured smooth approvals.
The Scale: 40+ Colleges in 7 States
The scam is not limited to one state or region. Colleges in these states are under the scanner:
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chhattisgarh
- Uttar Pradesh
- Karnataka
- Rajasthan
- Delhi
- Andhra Pradesh/Telangana
Most of these colleges were new. They needed NMC’s approval to start courses or expand seats. Several colleges had earlier failed inspections. This time, they “passed” by paying bribes.
Charges Filed, Arrests Made
The CBI arrested eight people so far, including:
- The three NMC inspectors
- Two staff members from Rawatpura Institute
- Three middlemen
They face charges under:
- Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Prevention of Corruption Act
- Money laundering laws
More arrests are likely as the financial and call data are analyzed. Read the FIR
A Rotten System Exposed
India’s medical education system has long faced criticism. There are not enough seats. New colleges rush to meet demand. But when inspections become a money-making exercise, standards fall apart.
A senior AIIMS doctor explained,
“This isn’t just a scam. It’s a betrayal. Doctors need years of training. If colleges cut corners, real people suffer.”
Indeed, fake inspections mean poor-quality teaching. This could lead to half-trained doctors treating patients. That’s a health crisis waiting to happen.
Students, Parents, and Citizens React
The news sparked outrage on social media. Students are angry. They spend years preparing for NEET. Their families take loans to pay high fees. Now they learn some got in using money and influence.
Neha, a second-year student from Bhopal, said,
“It’s heartbreaking. We worked so hard to get here. Others just paid bribes.”
Parents have called for stricter laws and better monitoring. They fear their children’s degrees may lose value.
The Government’s Silence—and Pressure to Act
The Health Ministry has not issued a formal statement. Sources say they are reviewing the NMC’s leadership. Some officials may be suspended.
Meanwhile, the opposition is calling for a complete overhaul. Rahul Gandhi tweeted,
“This is not a scam—it’s a national disaster. The BJP must explain why such a system was allowed to rot.”
Legal experts suggest creating a separate body to review all approvals given since 2020.
What Needs to Change?
Experts believe reforms are urgent. These are some steps being recommended:
- Live-streamed inspections using cameras and GPS
- AI tools to detect fake faculty lists and patient data
- Third-party audits every year
- Mandatory whistleblower protection
- Digitized reporting and real-time dashboards
Dr. Sandeep Ghosh, a policy expert, said,
“You need sunlight in this system. When approvals happen in the dark, corruption thrives.”
What’s Next?
The CBI is expanding its probe. More colleges may be named. Some licenses could be revoked. Many officials face suspension.
For students at the affected colleges, the future remains uncertain. Some may need to reappear for inspections. Others may be transferred or reassigned.
Yet, this could be the shock that the system needed.
Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call
India cannot afford a broken medical education system. Each fake report means future doctors may not be ready to save lives.
This isn’t just about bribes. It’s about life and death.
CBI’s investigation may clean the surface. But deeper change is needed. The government must act fast. Institutions must become transparent. And colleges must stop focusing on profit over purpose.
Only then can India truly say it’s preparing doctors—not just degree-holders.
