CBI arrests doctor for Rs 10 lakh bribe; seat renewals and expansion blocked for 2025-26
New Delhi:
In a major crackdown on corruption in medical education, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has blacklisted a senior doctor and imposed stringent sanctions on a private medical college in Karnataka. The action follows the arrest of the doctor by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh in exchange for a favourable inspection report.
The implicated doctor, serving as Head of Anatomy at Murshidabad Medical College and functioning as an NMC Assessor, was caught red-handed by the CBI in May 2025. According to officials, the bribe was paid by a private Karnataka-based medical college seeking a positive assessment for its courses.
Severe Action Against Medical College
Reacting firmly, the NMC has barred the implicated medical college from renewing its existing MBBS and PG medical seats for the Academic Year 2025-26. Moreover, any applications submitted by the college for increasing seats or introducing new undergraduate or postgraduate courses will be rejected outright.
In its official statement, the NMC said:
“As an exemplary action, it has been decided that the renewal of the existing number of seats of the said college shall not be done for AY 2025-26. Applications for increasing seats or starting new UG/PG courses will be cancelled and not processed further.”
Doctor Blacklisted Pending Investigation
The NMC has also blacklisted the accused Assessor while the investigation is ongoing, affirming its commitment to integrity and transparency.
“The Commission has viewed the matter very seriously and has decided to blacklist the said Assessor, pending investigation and final verdict in the matter,” the statement added.
Clarification on Role of Assessors
The NMC clarified that assessors are senior faculty members from government medical colleges who volunteer for inspections and are selected through a randomisation process.
“They are not direct employees of the Commission,” it said.
Zero Tolerance for Corruption
Highlighting its zero-tolerance approach, the NMC asserted its commitment to penalising any institution or individual found guilty of violating ethical standards.
Under relevant provisions of the NMC Act, actions may include:
- Monetary penalties
- Withholding or cancelling academic proposals
- Reducing student intake
- Suspension of admissions
- Disciplinary recommendations against assessors under Government Servant Conduct Rules
Commission’s Appeal to Stakeholders
The NMC urged all medical colleges and stakeholders to uphold the values of quality medical education and strictly adhere to regulatory norms to maintain public trust.
CBI Expands Investigation
This incident is part of a wider investigation. The CBI has registered an FIR against multiple assessors, college officials, and intermediaries. A similar case involved the Shri Rawatpura Sarkar Institute of Medical Sciences, Chhattisgarh, where doctors allegedly accepted bribes for favourable inspections.
The developments signal the NMC’s determined stance to clean up the inspection and accreditation process and preserve the integrity of India’s medical education system.
