Delhi Police are investigating two National Medical Commission (NMC) officials and four medical colleges for illicitly increasing MBBS, MD, and other course seats. Forged permission letters with official email addresses and website changes were used in the scam.
At least two senior National Medical Commission (NMC) officials and four medical colleges are under investigation by Delhi Police for allegedly illegally increasing MBBS, MD, and other course seats.
The scam involved colleges seeking to expand being “allowed” to do so by forged “letters of permission” sent to them via official email addresses. To make permissions appear genuine, those involved changed the website.
A senior Delhi Police officer said arrests are imminent.
Police believe a quid pro quo, mostly money, was exchanged for more seats. “However, the details can be confirmed only after arrests and suspects are interrogated,” said another investigation official.
After discovering the fraud in August, the commission revoked permission letters and began an investigation. Source says it also reported it to police.
In addition to Section 66C of the Information Technology Act, police filed a FIR under IPC sections for criminal conspiracy and cheating.
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 via the official email ID (ds.marb@nmc.org.in) of a deputy secretary who had previously oversaw MARB’s affairs.
The official was shocked when he was told about the letters he supposedly sent allowing colleges to increase course enrollment during an internal inquiry. The probe also found that another official changed the website to suggest the “permissions” were real.
Last August, the commission advised colleges to disregard these permission letters.
NMC stated on their website: “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.”
“The letters were not issued by the member/president, MARB. These letters are forged and do not represent MARB permission. All stakeholders and the public are advised not to act on the fake/forged letter. Lawful action is being taken, the notice stated.
Conclusion
Delhi Police are investigating two senior National Medical Commission (NMC) officials and four medical colleges for illegally increasing MBBS, MD, and other course seats. The scam involved colleges using official email IDs and website changes to forge letters of permission to expand. Delhi Police may arrest soon. The police believe a quid pro quo, mostly money, was exchanged for more seats. Police filed a FIR under IPC sections for criminal conspiracy and cheating after the commission discovered the fraud last August.
