Bhubaneswar: A senior doctor at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, was detained by the Odisha Vigilance team on Thursday after officials reportedly recovered Rs 2.63 lakh in unaccounted cash from his possession. The doctor was allegedly involved in collecting bribes from bidders competing to supply medical instruments to the hepatology department, vigilance officials told The Times of India.The operation was launched after receiving inputs indicating irregularities in the departmental procurement process. Acting on the information, officials intercepted the doctor while he was travelling on a two-wheeler near Kathagolasahi Medical Road and seized the cash.Also Read:Senior medical officer, clerk caught red-handed taking bribe for audit clearanceAccording to a TOI report, vigilance officials suspect the money was collected as illegal gratification from vendors competing to supply medical equipment to the hepatology department. The doctor had reportedly been under surveillance for several weeks following complaints related to his alleged illegal role in supplier selection.
Investigators further found that the senior doctor, who completed his MBBS in 1994, had been allegedly pressuring suppliers to divert medical instruments to a private clinic linked to him, raising concerns over conflict of interest and professional ethics.
Speaking to TOI, a senior vigilance official said, “We had credible intelligence regarding the illegal transaction. The operation was executed, and the medical faculty member was caught while carrying the cash. He failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of the money.”
Following the senior doctor’s detention, searches were launched at three locations linked to him to assess his assets and determine whether he possesses wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. Officials said his professional conduct and departmental decisions would now come under scrutiny. A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018.Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that a medical officer posted at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Kaniha was arrested by Vigilance officials for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 49,000 from women Community Health Officers (CHOs) in exchange for clearing their pending incentive payments.Also Read: Two hospital staff suspended, One dismissed after fake X-ray racket exposed in UP
