Vendors Allege Bribe Demands, Intimidation; Inquiry Panel Formed After Complaints Escalated to Health Ministry
New Delhi: Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate serious allegations of bribery, criminal intimidation, and misconduct against an administrative officer attached to the institution’s Stores Department. The move comes within 48 hours of reports highlighting complaints filed by two vendors accusing the officer of demanding illegal commissions and engaging in threatening behavior.
According to the complaints, the officer allegedly demanded a 10 percent commission on every purchase order issued by the hospital. The allegations were raised independently by two registered vendors—PSV Biotech Private Limited and Promax India—both of whom approached senior health authorities seeking action.
Complaints Escalated to Senior Authorities
PSV Biotech Private Limited first submitted a complaint on April 10 to the LHMC Director and the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The company alleged demands for bribes, criminal intimidation, and the use of derogatory language by the officer.
Subsequently, the firm escalated the matter to the Union Health Secretary on April 28, citing a lack of action on its earlier representations.
Promax India also lodged a complaint with the DGHS on April 21, accusing the same officer of demanding bribes. The company stated that it was willing to provide additional evidence and cooperate fully with any official investigation.
Inquiry Committee Constituted
Despite repeated complaints, both vendors had earlier expressed concern over the absence of visible action by the authorities. However, LHMC informed the complainants on June 3 that, with the approval of the competent authority, a committee had been formed to examine the allegations.
In separate communications sent to the vendors, the institution stated that the inquiry panel would investigate the matter and may call the complainants for personal interaction or clarification during the course of the proceedings, if required.
Vendor Questions Delay in Investigation
Reacting to the development, Sachin Gupta, Director of PSV Biotech Private Limited, questioned the time taken to initiate the inquiry process.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Gupta said he was surprised that the committee was constituted only after considerable delay despite the matter having been raised before multiple authorities and receiving media attention. He sought clarification on the reasons behind the delay and requested details regarding measures taken to preserve crucial evidence, including official records, documents, electronic communications, emails, and CCTV footage.
Gupta also asked for a defined timeline for completion of the investigation and submission of the committee’s report.
Concerns Over Evidence Preservation
The complainant further alleged that the delay in initiating the inquiry could create apprehensions regarding the safety of evidence and raise questions about whether the accused was being shielded.
He urged authorities to immediately secure all relevant records and provide a detailed status report explaining the action taken so far. According to Gupta, any further delay could risk the loss, alteration, or destruction of evidence that may be critical to the investigation.
No Official Public Statement Yet
As of now, Lady Hardinge Medical College has not issued any official public statement regarding the allegations against the administrative officer or the ongoing inquiry process.
The outcome of the committee’s investigation is expected to determine the next course of action in the matter, which has drawn attention over concerns related to transparency and accountability in procurement processes within government healthcare institutions.
