‘Med degree scam is not possible without insider involvement’
MUMBAI: Probe into the fake College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS) postgraduate (PG) certificates scam, in which doctors seeking specialisations were given forged ‘pass’ certificates in exchange for money, indicates strong possibility of involvement of insiders, Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) sources said.
The Agripada police have already arrested the alleged kingpin of the racket, Nashik-based pediatrician Dr Snehal Nyati, 46. They have also arrested a private person, Sajid Subhedar, and booked 57 doctors in the case on charges of cheating and forgery on the complaint of the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC).
Dr Prafulla Shah, secretary, CPS, said no insider from CPS is involved in the scam.
“CPS has nothing to do with the case. The police had visited the institute and wanted some information, which was given to them. The matter pertains to year 2014-15 and we have nothing to hide as no insider is involved in the case.”
However, MMC president Dr Shivkumar Utture said, “A strong, in-depth police investigation is needed as the scam looks big in nature. The police should also explore the possibility of involvement of insiders, if any.”
Sources in the MMC told Hindustan Times that Nyati would approach students (doctors) at CPS before examinations and promised to ensure they would pass in the exams if they paid him.
With students who rebuffed him, Nyati would approach some of them who had failed the exam Dr Snehal Nyati was arrested for allegedly selling fake postgraduate certificates to doctors who had failed their exams Besides Nyati, 57 doctors have also been booked
The MMC said the department has come across the cases of 30 more suspicious doctors. They have been sent notices.
before the results were officially declared and tell them they had not passed.he would offer to get them passed if they paid him, for fees ranging between ₹3 lakh to ₹ 7 lakh. Nyati gave them forged ‘pass’ certificates to those who paid him, which the doctors later used to get registered with the MMC to get a license to practice. When the MMC got to know about the scam, an inquiry was ordered. “During inquiry the doctors who were suspected to be part of the scam narrated how Nyati ran the racket. (The way he operated) is not possible without the involvement of insiders from the institution,” a senior MMC official said.