The Central Bureau of Investigation on Monday night arrested a member of the Dental Council of India on charges of taking Rs. 25 lakh bribe from the management of Adhiparasakthi Dental College and Hospital, Melmaruvathur (Kancheepuram district).
Three others, including the college trustee, were also arrested, agency sources said on Tuesday.
Later, L. Yousuf Ali, Principal Special Judge for CBI cases remanded S. Murukesan, member, Dental Council of India, and three others – K. Ramabadran, R.Karunanidhi, and T.Palani – to judicial custody till January 22.
The dental college had sought permission to start a post-graduate course and the DCI, during preliminary inspection, found that the faculty/infrastructure was inadequate compared to the mandatory requirements. While perusing this input, CBI officials found that the college authorities were trying to obtain approval for commencing the post-graduate course with the assistance of S. Murukesan, a DCI member.
Investigation revealed that Dr. Murukesan had demanded Rs. 1 crore bribe for getting DCI’s approval. K. Ramabadran, Administrative Officer of Adhi Parasakthi Dental College and Hospital, representing the management negotiated the deal. It was agreed upon that Rs. 25 lakh would be paid as first instalment on January 7, 2013, the sources said.
Based on this input, a special team of the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch conducted a search on Dr. Murukesan’s dental clinic in Royapettah on Monday night. The bribe amount of Rs. 25 lakh was seized from the possession of the DCI member. Ramabadran, college trustee R. Karunanidhi, and their associate T. Palani, a former MLA, who offered the bribe were also apprehended.
CBI registered a case against Dr. Murukesan, Managing Director of Adhi Prasakthi Dental College and Hospital, S. Srilekha, and others under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and IPC.
Simultaneous searches were conducted on the premises of the accused persons. Dr. Murukesan and three others were produced in a special court and lodged in the Puzhal central prison here.
Investigators said the agency had credible input on similar instances of irregularities in recognition of dental colleges or approval of new courses.
“We are also enquiring into allegations of corruption in the approvals given to enhance the number of seats in some colleges. The CBI had in 2010 registered a case against Adhi Parasakthi Medical College and Hospital, Melmaruvathur, on charges of furnishing fake documents to the Medical Council of India while obtaining recognition to the institution,” a CBI official added.
Keywords: dental council member, CBI inquiry, graft charges, Medical Council of India, Dental Council of India
The Dental Council of India is seen to be going the same way as the Medical Council of India.It appears that all these Councils which accord approvals to start new Colleges in their respective fields are dens of corruption authorising commencement of professional courses without the necessary basic infrastructure.The
colleges are virtual gold mines for their Founders.The Government should start of by closing down the college which bribed the Member whose licence to practice should also be forthwith cancelled.Unless such drastic measures are initiated,these institutions and councils will get away with blue murder even because we live in what I choose to call as the REGULARIZATION RAJ where all things illegal are legalised for a few pieces of Gold giving all fairness,probity etc. a clean GO-BY.
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