A doctor in Madhya Pradesh has been caught accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 while holding simultaneous postings in three districts, officials said on Wednesday. The incident has sparked a probe into the doctor's conduct and absenteeism, which had been flagged earlier.
Doctor Held Multiple Postings
The doctor, identified as Dr. R.K. Sharma, was posted in Khargone, Barwani, and Indore districts simultaneously. He was caught red-handed by the Lokayukta police while accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a patient's relative at his clinic in Khargone. The complainant had alleged that the doctor demanded the bribe for issuing a medical certificate.
According to Lokayukta officials, Dr. Sharma had been absent from his duties at the Keli health center in Khargone for several months. His repeated absenteeism, including his absence during a delivery case at Keli on June 8, had led the district magistrate to recommend action against him.
Absenteeism During Emergency
On June 8, a pregnant woman was brought to the Keli health center for delivery, but Dr. Sharma was not present. The patient had to be referred to a higher center, resulting in a delay in treatment. The district magistrate, after reviewing the incident, recommended disciplinary action against the doctor.
“The doctor's absence during an emergency is a serious matter. We had recommended action, and now the bribery case has added to the gravity of the situation,” said a district official.
Probe Underway
The Lokayukta police have registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and are investigating the matter. They are also probing how Dr. Sharma managed to hold postings in three districts simultaneously, which is a violation of service rules.
“We are investigating the entire episode, including how he got multiple postings and why the authorities failed to act earlier,” said a Lokayukta official.
The doctor has been arrested and is currently in judicial custody. Further investigations are ongoing.
