PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
Providing a new twist to the fake freedom fighter certificate scam in MBBS admissions, the social activist Pradeep Bahuguna, who had blown the lid off the scam, has alleged that the investigation into the case is being shoved to the backburner.
Claiming that attempts are being made to suppress the matter, he demanded that the investigation be handed over to the Crime-Branch Crime Investigation Department (CBCID). His allegations have come after an administrative inquiry held two patwaris responsible for lapses in verifying the certificates, while the role of officials at the sub-division magistrate level has been kept murky.
The inquiry was conducted under the chief development officer (CDO) on the directions of Dehradun district magistrate Ashish Chauhan after the alleged fraud surfaced. Based on the inquiry report, two patwaris were suspended for lapses in verifying the certificates. Action was also taken against a data entry operator.
However, the administration has not clarified whether the role of the SDM level officials, who issued the certificates, was examined. Under the existing process, a patwari verifies the documents and conducts physical verification before sending a report to the SDM office. The certificate is issued after the application is examined at the SDM level.
Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing three FIRs registered in connection with the case. The SIT has arrested suspected members of the racket, including its mastermind Rupesh Pandit. The investigation has reportedly found that vacant government quota MBBS seats were allegedly offered for around Rs 45 lakh per seat using forged documents.
The administration has also started re-verifying certificates and cancelling those in which discrepancies are found.
