Probe Reveals Alleged Corruption Network in Railway Medical Certification System
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Visakhapatnam, has registered an FIR against a railway doctor and two loco pilots in connection with an alleged bribery racket involving the issuance of favourable medical reports to railway employees.
According to officials, the case has exposed what investigators describe as the “tip of the iceberg” of a much larger corruption network operating across multiple railway zones. Authorities suspect that some railway doctors allegedly accepted bribes in exchange for issuing fake or manipulated medical certificates that helped employees secure extended leave or shift from physically demanding operational duties to office-based jobs.
Doctor Accused of Taking Bribes Through Driver’s Bank Account
As per the FIR, the accused doctor, who was serving as the Senior Divisional Medical Officer at Nandyal in the Guntur division, allegedly worked in collusion with a private intermediary who collected money from railway employees seeking sickness certificates.
Investigators alleged that the bribe money was transferred through the doctor’s driver’s bank account in an attempt to avoid suspicion and conceal the money trail.
The FIR further stated that one of the accused loco pilots had managed to change her job profile from running staff to technician on medical grounds. However, she allegedly did not join the new department and instead continued on sick leave.
Rs 1 Lakh Allegedly Demanded for Medical Re-Screening
According to the investigation, the loco pilot later sought regularisation of her sick leave and requested medical re-screening. The doctor allegedly demanded Rs 1 lakh to facilitate the process but later agreed to accept Rs 75,000 after negotiations.
The CBI claimed to have traced the flow of money from the loco pilot to another individual and eventually to the doctor’s driver’s account.
Another Loco Pilot Allegedly Sought Medical Decategorisation
In a separate instance mentioned in the FIR, another loco pilot from the Guntur division allegedly wanted to be declared medically unfit for running duties so he could secure a stationary office posting.
The FIR stated that the doctor allegedly instructed an intermediary identified as Karimulla to arrange a video EEG report in favour of the loco pilot to support medical decategorisation.
Investigators said they found a similar financial trail in this case as well. Both incidents reportedly took place in June last year.
Railway Employees Raise Concerns Over Widespread Malpractice
Railway employees have reportedly expressed concern over the alleged misuse of the medical certification system, stating that such practices have become widespread in several railway hospitals.
Officials said the alleged corruption not only affects operational efficiency but also creates problems for genuinely ill employees, whose medical cases often come under unnecessary suspicion.
An official quoted in the investigation said the Railway Board should introduce stricter monitoring mechanisms to curb corruption in railway medical departments and ensure transparency in medical fitness assessments.
