Police Crack Down on Fake Medical Degree Racket
Gorakhpur: The Gorakhpur police have launched a massive investigation into a fake medical degree racket after arresting a contract-based doctor working at Khoraabar Primary Health Center (PHC). The arrested individual, Dr. Rajesh Kumar, was found in possession of multiple counterfeit degrees, allegedly allowing him to fraudulently practice medicine at a government hospital.
Widespread Forgery: Fake Degrees from Nine Universities
During a police raid, officials recovered 21 forged medical degrees from various institutions across India, including Lucknow, Meerut, Moradabad, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Shikohabad. Authorities have sent teams to nine universities to verify these documents.
Among the fake degrees recovered, the key findings included:
- Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Karnataka – 3 fake MBBS degrees
- Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbi Medical Board, Lucknow – 2 degrees
- OPJS University, Churu (Rajasthan) – 2 degrees
- Uttar Pradesh Pharmacy Council – 1 degree
- IK Gujral Punjab Technical University – 2 degrees
- JS University, Shikohabad – 4 degrees
- Ayush & Health Sciences University, Chhattisgarh – 1 degree
- IFTM University, Moradabad – 3 degrees
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG – 1 fake certificate
Rajesh Kumar’s accomplice, Sushil Chaudhary, was also arrested with two fake degrees from the Ayurvedic and Unani Tibbi Medical Board (UP) and Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut.
How Was the Scam Exposed?
On February 24, police arrested Rajesh Kumar and Sushil Chaudhary at the Khoraabar PHC. Kumar, a resident of Awas Vikas Colony, AIIMS area, Gorakhpur, had been working as a contract doctor at the health center. His associate, Sushil Chaudhary, hails from Sant Kabir Nagar.
The arrests came after authorities received intelligence about fake medical practitioners operating in government hospitals. Upon verification, Kumar’s MBBS degree was found to be fraudulent. Further investigation led to the discovery of a larger network selling fake medical degrees across multiple states.
Who is the Mastermind?
The police revealed that the racket was controlled by a kingpin based in Western Uttar Pradesh. The scammers allegedly lured people with false promises of medical degrees in exchange for large sums of money.
A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to locate and apprehend the mastermind. Authorities believe that once arrested, they will be able to expose the entire fraudulent network involved in producing and distributing fake medical degrees.
Next Steps: Ongoing Investigation
SP City Abhinav Tyagi confirmed that teams have been dispatched to nine universities to verify the authenticity of the forged degrees. Investigators are also:
- Identifying other fraudulent doctors who obtained fake degrees.
- Tracing individuals who purchased fake qualifications to work in the healthcare sector.
- Pursuing the fugitive mastermind behind the scam.
This shocking case has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the medical profession and the potential risks posed by unqualified individuals practicing medicine. The police have assured strict action against all involved, warning that anyone found practicing with a fake medical degree will face criminal charges.
