Corruption alleged in UPCMET admissions: HC seeks Centre, MCI reply

A recent case of alleged corruption in admission process through UPCMET 2015 has drawn attention of the Delhi High Court on the matter. There is a strong allegation, filed through a petition in the court that medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh have indulged in corrupt practices to provide admission. The court is now seeking a response from the Centre and MCI on the matter. The Delhi High Court has sought the response of the Centre and the Medical Council of India (MCI) on a PIL alleging corrupt practices in the admission process for medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh through the UP Combined Medical Entrance Test (UPCMET) of 2015.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath issued notice to Department of Health and Family Welfare of the Health Ministry and MCI and sought their responses on the plea which has sought a probe by CBIor any independent agency into the alleged corruption in UP Unaided Medical Colleges Welfare Association which conducted UPCMET-2015.

The petitioner, S. S. Hooda, is a journalist. He is also reported to be demanding action on a new framework of guidelines for medical colleges to follow. Till the time NEET is allowed for medical admissions in the state, the medical colleges should have a set of admission guidelines to follow, as implied by SS Hooda.

Hooda has challenged in the court based on his evidence collected through a sting operation on a medical institute in Mathura. He alleged that the college was providing admission, by receiving payment of Rs 35 lakh. Candidates were being admitted to the medical college even though they had not appeared for UPCMET 2015, or applied for admission by filling up the form.

He had also alleged that the Mathura-based institute had said that candidates, who had not appeared in UPCMET 2015, would be deemed to be admitted and they only need to appear in a mock test and their names would reflect in the merit list.

"This poses a big question on the credibility of the test held by respondnet no. 4 i.E. UP Unaided Medical Colleges Welfare Association which conducted UPCMET-2015," the petition said.

The petitioner also said he had brought this to the attention of the government and MCI, but till date no action was taken by them. The Centre had referred his complaint to the Admission and Fee Regulation Committee, Uttar Pradesh, but it too "has not taken any action till date", he said.

The petitioner claimed, that he had approached the government and the MCI but no action was taken except that his complaint was referred to the Admission and Fee Regulation Committee, Uttar Pradesh.

Next hearing on August 8th, 2016