Article Today, Hyderabad: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a sweeping probe into corruption linked to private medical colleges across the country. In a significant move, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has cancelled the recognition of Father Colombo Institute of Medical Sciences in Warangal district, Telangana. This decision comes after the CBI unearthed a ₹46 lakh bribe allegedly paid by the college trustee, Father Joseph Kommareddy, to NMC inspection teams.
Bribery to Inspection Teams Triggers Action
The CBI, in its FIR, revealed that Father Joseph paid the bribes in two instalments to secure favourable inspection reports. These reports are crucial for colleges to gain recognition or increase student intake. Medical education circles have confirmed that this bribery was the key reason behind the cancellation. The development has sent shockwaves through the medical education sector in the state.
More Colleges Under Scrutiny
Sources indicate that investigations are still ongoing against several other colleges in Telangana. The Mahaveer Medical College in Vikarabad is under the scanner. A scheduled inspection was postponed after media platforms like Sahanam Vande and Article Today exposed the planned visit and raised concerns over potential malpractice. However, the NMC has reportedly informed the college management that inspections will be completed by July 29.
CBI Exposes the Inspection Scam: The CBI has made startling revelations in its investigation. It said NMC inspection teams had been leaking information about their visits in advance. This allowed college managements to temporarily fix violations and stage compliance. Colleges allegedly spent crores to influence inspectors, arranging fake patients, ghost faculty, and even tampering with biometric attendance systems to create a false impression of proper functioning.
Ghost Staff, Fake Reports, Crores in Bribes
The investigation found that many colleges used unqualified or nonexistent staff and patients during inspections. Some altered biometric attendance machines to fake records. Despite such widespread violations, NMC officials accepted massive bribes to overlook irregularities and gave colleges clean chits. These practices undermined the credibility of the inspection process.
High-Profile Names in FIR
The CBI FIR lists several influential figures. These include former University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman D.P. Singh, Swamiji Ravi Shankarji Maharaj of Chhattisgarh’s Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute, Mayur Rawal of Rajasthan’s Geetanjali University, Suresh Singh Badauria of Index Medical College in Madhya Pradesh, Venkat from Visakhapatnam’s Gayatri Medical College, Father Joseph Kommareddy from Warangal’s Father Colombo College, Shivani Agarwal from NCR Institute in Uttar Pradesh, and Swami Bhaktavatsaldas Ji from Swaminarayan Institute in Gujarat.
A Wider Medical Education Crisis
This CBI crackdown highlights systemic corruption within India’s medical education sector. The revelations suggest a well-organised network where colleges, regulators, and intermediaries colluded to bypass norms. As investigations continue, more names and institutions could come under the radar, potentially reshaping how medical education is regulated in the country.
