CBI books AMC, MCI officials for leaking information

The CBI on Monday said it has registered an FIR against the officials of Army Medical Corps (AMC) and Medical Council of India (MCI) for allegedly leaking sensitive information.

Besides, several other private persons were also booked for the alleged information leak with respect to inspections and recognition of courses.

According to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) official, the FIR was registered on September 16 under sections of criminal conspiracy and demand, and acceptance of illegal gratification by corrupt and illegal means to influence a public servant.

The booked officials -- Santosh Kumar of MCI and Colonel Ajay Kumar Singh of the AMC -- in connivance with Susheel Kumar and Sachin, both private persons, were allegedly running a racket of leaking sensitive information related to inspections, recognition of courses, number of seats and other similar administrative matters being dealt with by the MCI with regard to various medical colleges and institutions.

In its First Information Report (FIR), the investigating agency said "reliable information was received that Santosh Kumar, an LDC in MCI, was in regular contact with B. Ramachandhiran, Chairman, Sri Venkateshwara Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Puducherry, for sharing sensitive information and helping them with respect to some administrative matter regarding inspections and approvals related to the aforesaid medical college being dealt with by the MCI".

"Santosh Kumar was also in touch with Colonel Ajay Kumar Singh of the AMC who is empanelled as an Assessor with the MCI for inspecting various medical colleges," the FIR said.

The FIR alleged both the officials were in regular touch with Ramachandhiran, adding that they also had personal meetings in this regard and demanded illegal gratification for rendering support and providing information at regular intervals.

The FIR claimed Ramachandhiran had delivered one installment of illegal gratification to Singh and Kumar recently.

"Singh and Kumar again contacted Ramachandhiran and demanded remaining installment of the illegal gratification to them in lieu of showing favour by way of providing the aforesaid information and to provide help in inspections," the FIR stated.

"They are engaging with the owners or management of these medical institutions for obtaining huge periodical illegal gratification," the CBI FIR said.

--IANS

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