Patna: The Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) has come under fresh scrutiny following serious allegations of examination malpractice, including paper leaks and tampering of answer sheets in MBBS and postgraduate final-year exams.
The controversy surfaced after an anonymous email complaint was sent on March 13, flagging irregularities in the examination process. Despite the allegations, no immediate action was taken, raising concerns over institutional accountability.
When media teams visited the institute for verification, they were informed that IGIMS Director Dr. Bindey was on leave, a development that has further fuelled questions amid the ongoing controversy.
Four-Member Probe Panel Formed
Nearly 28 days after the complaint surfaced, the institute’s acting director constituted a four-member inquiry committee to investigate the allegations. A meeting in this regard was held at the administrative building on Friday.
The committee has been formed under the leadership of acting director-cum-Dean (Academics) Dr. Om Kumar. The panel is headed by Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Head of the PSM department, with Dr. Gyan Bhaskar and Dr. Ashwini as members.
Dr. Om Kumar said the committee has been given seven working days to submit its report, after which further action will be decided.
Principal’s Exclusion Raises Questions
Another controversy has emerged over the exclusion of IGIMS Principal Dr. Ranjit Guha from the inquiry process. Dr. Guha has questioned why he was neither invited to meetings nor included in the investigation, despite the matter directly concerning MBBS and PG students under his jurisdiction.
He stated that four meetings have been held since March 13 regarding the issue, but he was not informed about any of them. He also raised concerns over transparency, alleging that even internal committee discussions were conducted without his involvement.
Dr. Guha added that practical examinations are currently underway and said he plans to directly interact with students after their completion to gather more information.
Serious Allegations of Money Dealings
Sources have alleged that large sums of money were involved in facilitating the malpractice. Deals worth lakhs were reportedly struck for leaking question papers and manipulating answer sheets in MBBS final-year exams.
It is further alleged that different rates were fixed for paper leaks and for getting answer sheets written externally and later adjusted within the system. If proven, these allegations could severely impact the credibility of the institution and the careers of medical students.
CCTV Footage Under Scanner
Preliminary inputs suggest that CCTV footage from the examination branch has captured suspicious activities, including unusual movement of candidates at odd hours. However, these claims are yet to be officially confirmed.
Earlier Probe, No Action
Sources indicate that an initial inquiry had earlier found signs of irregularities, but no concrete action was taken at the time. The delay in response has intensified criticism of the institute’s functioning.
Awaiting Report
All eyes are now on the inquiry committee, which is expected to submit its findings within seven working days. The outcome will determine the extent of the alleged malpractice and any disciplinary action against those involved.
The case has raised broader concerns about transparency and integrity in medical education in Bihar, with stakeholders demanding a fair and thorough investigation.
