TNN | Feb 24, 2024, 07.10 AM IST
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police is learnt to be investigating at least two senior officials of the National Medical Commission (NMC) and four medical colleges in connection with an alleged scam in which certain colleges were permitted to increase the number of seats in MBBS, MD and other courses in an illegal manner.
The scam involved colleges seeking to increase their capacity being “allowed” to do so on the strength of “letters of permission” which were forged but were made to appear genuine by the use of official email id through which the institutions concerned were intimated. Those involved also made changes on the website to make the permissions appear genuine.
Delhi Police is likely to make arrests soon, a senior cop said.The cops suspect a quid pro quo, mostly monetary consideration, was happening in return for an increase in seats. “However, the details can be confirmed only after arrests are made and suspects are interrogated,” said another official privy to the investigation.
Delhi Police is likely to make arrests soon, a senior cop said.The cops suspect a quid pro quo, mostly monetary consideration, was happening in return for an increase in seats. “However, the details can be confirmed only after arrests are made and suspects are interrogated,” said another official privy to the investigation.
The fraudulent activity was detected by the commission last August after which it revoked the permission letters and carried out an inquiry. It also filed a complaint with police, the source added.
Police then filed an FIR under IPC’s sections pertaining to criminal conspiracy and cheating besides Section 66C of the Information Technology Act.
In his complaint, AK Singh, deputy secretary at the medical assessment & rating board (MARB) of the commission, reported that forged Letters of Permission (LOPs) were issued to various medical colleges through the official email ID (ds.marb@nmc.org.in), which belongs to an official of the rank of deputy secretary who had been earlier looking after the affairs at MARB.
The official concerned was shocked when he, during the course of an internal inquiry, was told about the letters he had purportedly sent allowing the colleges to increase the intake of students for various courses. The probe also revealed that another official had changed the website to suggest that the “permissions” were genuine.
The commission subsequently issued a notice last year in August asking colleges to not consider these permission letters as valid.
In their communication, which was also published on their website, NMC said: “It has come to the notice of MARB that a forged/fake letter has been issued to a college regarding renewal of permission for MBBS course on behalf of member/president, MARB whereas another three letters dated 12.07.2023 and 13.07.2023 were issued to another college for increase of seats in MS-Ophthalmology for 5 to 10 seats, MD-General Medicine from 7 to 24 and MS-ENT for 1 to 4 seats.”
“It is clarified that the said letters have not been issued by the member/president, MARB. These letters are forged/fake and cannot be considered as valid permission from MARB. The above facts are brought to the notice of all stakeholders and the general public to not take any action based on the fake/forged letter. Appropriate action is being taken in accordance with the law,” the notice further read.
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