Patna: Purnia MP and Congress leader Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav has raised serious questions over the Bihar government’s decision to grant multiple post-retirement extensions to I S Thakur, the Superintendent of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH). The criticism comes amid public outrage over the death of a nine-year-old rape victim from Muzaffarpur, who died during treatment at PMCH.
In a strongly worded post on X, Yadav asked, “What kind of mafiagiri is going on at PMCH that the same superintendent, I S Thakur, has been given three extensions even after retirement?” He alleged that Thakur’s continued presence in office was enabling irregularities in the hospital’s functioning and questioned whether it was an attempt to cover up ongoing corruption.
Yadav also pointed to what he called a pattern of nepotism within the institution, noting that Thakur’s wife works in the Community Medicine Department, his daughter in the Microbiology Department, and his son-in-law, who was previously at PMCH, is now posted at LNJP Hospital in Patna.
“This is not a public institution anymore. It’s become a private network of vested interests operating under the health department,” Yadav said. He further questioned whether the extensions were linked to the Rs 5,500-crore redevelopment of PMCH, suggesting that they may be aimed at shielding systemic mismanagement.
Following the victim’s death, the Health Department has acted against two officials: SKMCH Superintendent Dr Kumari Bibha was suspended, and PMCH Deputy Superintendent Dr Abhijeet Singh was relieved of his duties for failing to respond adequately when the child was brought in for treatment.
The incident has intensified criticism of Bihar’s public healthcare infrastructure, with opposition leaders calling for a transparent investigation into the governance of key medical institutions like PMCH.
