A doctor and a Home Guard jawan have been booked in Jharkhand’s Chatra district for allegedly demanding money from newly selected Home Guard recruits in exchange for medical fitness certificates. The case was registered after repeated complaints from candidates undergoing medical examination and document verification for the recruitment process.
FIR Registered Following Complaints
An FIR was registered at Chatra Sadar police station on Wednesday following directions from the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the chairman of the Home Guard Recruitment Committee. The complaint was filed by the Kanhachatti circle officer-cum-in-charge BDO of Chatra Sadar Block.
The accused have been booked under provisions relating to extortion, cheating and criminal conspiracy. The case also includes sections concerning the preparation of false documents by a public servant and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Alleged Demands for Medical Fitness Certificates
The medical examination and document verification of newly selected Home Guard recruits began on July 25 at the District Commandant, Home Guard office in Chatra. The process is scheduled to continue until August 12.
According to the complaints, candidates were allegedly asked to pay money for obtaining medical fitness certificates. The reported demands ranged from Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000.
Some candidates also alleged that amounts ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh were demanded to declare them medically fit. Officials clarified that these higher-value allegations have not yet been verified and will be examined as part of the investigation.
Preliminary Probe Underway
Gope said, “Questioning of candidates and the preliminary probe revealed the prima facie involvement of the doctor and Home Guard jawan, leading to registration of the FIR.”
Authorities are investigating the allegations and examining the alleged role of the doctor and Home Guard jawan in the recruitment medical examination process. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.
Important Highlights
• A doctor and a Home Guard jawan have been booked in Chatra over alleged demands for money from recruits.
• Candidates alleged that Rs 2,000 to Rs 6,000 was demanded for medical fitness certificates.
• Some candidates also alleged demands of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh, which remain unverified.
• The FIR was registered following directions from the Deputy Commissioner, who chairs the Home Guard Recruitment Committee.
• The accused face provisions related to extortion, cheating, criminal conspiracy and preparation of false documents by a public servant.
• The recruitment medical examination and document verification process began on July 25 and is scheduled to continue until August 12.
