CBI registers case against MCI officials

CBI has registered a case of cheating against the then Additional Secretary, Medical Council of India and five others including chairman of a Odisha based Medical college for allegedly giving clearance to the college by flouting norms.
The agency named Pukhraj Prasannaraj, the then Additional Secretary; Ashok Kumar, assistant, MCI (both posted here), Johnsel Raja, chairman of Selvam Educational and Charitable Trust, Tamil Nadu; Janet Khalko, ex-principal, Sardar Rajas Medical College Hospital and two private persons here, CBI sources said here.
The agency spokesperson said case has been registered under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

"It is alleged that the accused persons entered into criminal conspiracy with some unknown persons during 2013, and the said private Medical College Hospital under Educational Charitable Trust, Tamil Nadu was granted permission by MCI, flouting the laid down norms/regulations of MCI for admission into first year MBBS courses for the academic year 2013-14," CBI spokesperson said.
The sources said after registering the cases, searches were carried out at nine different places which includes two places in Odisha (Bhawanipatna & Sambalpur), four places here (Dwarka and Nazafgarh) and three places in Tamil Nadu (Vadadangulam and Nagercoil) at the official and residential premises of the accused persons.

"During search, cash of Rs 5.5 lakh, two kg gold, 25 kg silver along with documents of three properties in the name of family and relatives of then Additional Secretary were recovered. Certain incriminating documents from Bhawanipatna i.E. Medical College and other accused were recovered," the spokesperson said.