Roorkee: In a shocking case of corruption, a medical officer posted at the Civil Hospital in Roorkee was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 by the Vigilance Establishment Unit (VEU). The incident has raised concerns about ongoing corruption in government health services.
Background of the Officer: The doctor, originally from Ara in Bihar, had recently joined the Roorkee hospital after a transfer from Mussoorie. Authorities reported that he allegedly demanded Rs 30,000 from a victim of an assault case for preparing a supplementary legal report.
Sting Operation Conducted: After the victim reported the matter to the Dehradun Vigilance team, officials organized a sting operation. The complainant coordinated with vigilance officers to hand over the money near the hospital’s blood bank, leading to the officer’s apprehension.
Caught in the Act: The doctor was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 20,000 at his official residence. Vigilance officials recovered the full amount on the spot and took the officer into custody. He was subsequently produced before a designated court in Dehradun.
Investigation Underway: Officials confirmed that a thorough investigation is underway, and strict legal action will be taken against the doctor. The VEU emphasized its commitment to curbing corruption in government offices across the state.
Corruption Trends in the State: Since 2010, over 253 government employees have been caught in bribery cases by the department. In 2024 alone, 36 officials were trapped, and over 20 cases have already been registered in the current year.
Public Appeal: VEU Director Dr. V. Murugesan urged citizens to report instances of bribery, assuring that the identity of complainants remains strictly confidential. He emphasized that swift action is taken on every complaint to deter corrupt practices.
Related Cases: In a similar case, a Jaipur-based doctor working as an Ayushman Bharat investigator was arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 11 lakh from Siddhivinayak Hospital in Bhilwara for clearing Ayushman Arogya Yojana bills, highlighting that corruption continues to be a challenge in the healthcare sector.
