GWALIOR— Over a decade after the infamous Vyapam scam first made headlines, a new controversy has erupted at Gajra Raja Medical College (GRMC) in Gwalior. Allegations have surfaced that MBBS degrees were being issued to previously expelled students in exchange for bribes of ₹16 lakh each, bypassing all academic requirements including examinations and attendance.
The Alleged Operation
The scandal came to light following a written complaint by a former student,
Sandeep Lahariya, who submitted evidence to the Governor of Madhya Pradesh and the college dean. According to the complaint:
- Target Audience: The beneficiaries were allegedly students who were expelled in 2017 after being linked to the original Vyapam scam (batches 2006–2010).
- Bypassing Rules: These students had reportedly not been reinstated or granted relief by any legal committee, yet were allegedly issued degrees without appearing for final exams.
- The “Price Tag”: An audio recording leaked online allegedly features a college branch in-charge discussing a deal to clear “pending cases” for a fee of ₹16 lakh per student.
Official Response and Administrative Action
Following the emergence of the audio clip and the formal complaint, GRMC authorities took swift preliminary action:
- Suspension: The Under-Graduate (UG) branch in-charge, Prashant Chaturvedi, has been removed from his post pending a full inquiry.
- Ongoing Probe: Dean Dr. R.K.S. Dhakad confirmed that the matter has been assigned to a special investigator, Dr. Chhabania, to verify the authenticity of the degrees issued to the 30+ expelled students.
- Intelligence Oversight: State intelligence agencies have also taken note of the case, reportedly requesting documents from the whistleblower to ascertain if there was collusion with Jiwaji University officials.
The Vyapam Connection
This development reopens a dark chapter for Madhya Pradesh’s education system. The original Vyapam scam involved a massive network of impersonators, “solvers,” and corrupt officials who rigged medical entrance exams for years. Whistleblowers now fear that the “rot” has shifted from the entry point (entrance exams) to the exit point (degree issuance), potentially allowing unqualified individuals to enter the medical profession.
Investigation remains active as authorities determine how many “fraudulent doctors” may have been minted through this alleged backdoor channel.
