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New Delhi : In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unearthed a corruption racket operating within Delhi’s Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital. The probe agency’s crackdown led to the arrest of nine individuals, including two doctors and two professors, at one of the capital’s busiest medical facilities.
According to CBI sources, the racket allegedly involved bribery under the guise of hospital admissions, issuance of medical test certificates, and extracting money from patients for various treatments. The accused purportedly accepted bribes in both cash and digital payments, with allegations extending to kickbacks from medical equipment suppliers and pharmaceutical companies.
The CBI’s investigation revealed intricate methods used by the accused, including soliciting money from companies involved in medical equipment supplies and endorsing doctors in exchange for financial gains from private firms. Shockingly, allegations also surfaced regarding the extortion of money from economically disadvantaged patients under the pretext of treatment.
Among those apprehended, Dr. Parvathgouda, an Assistant Professor in the Cardiology Department, was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹2.5 lakh through a UPI payment. Additionally, Rajneesh Kumar, a senior technical engineer in the Cath Lab, along with several others, including a professor, a nurse, and clerks employed at the hospital, face charges under the Prevention of Corruption and Criminal Conspiracy laws.
Apart from the nine arrests, the CBI has initiated action against a total of 16 individuals and commenced a thorough investigation into the matter. The probe agency’s inquiries extend beyond the hospital premises, with raids conducted at 15 locations associated with doctors and dealers linked to medical equipment supplies.
The alleged exploitation of patients, including demanding bribes for medical services and intimidating individuals who refused to comply, has sparked outrage. One woman accused the hospital staff of demanding a bribe of ₹20,000 for her child’s delivery and resorting to threats when she refused.
