Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has exposed a major scam involving nine chemists who obtained D-Pharmacy licenses through fraudulent means. The accused, currently operating chemist shops in various locations across Punjab, are alleged to have colluded with former Registrars and officials of the Punjab State Pharmacy Council (PSPC) in a sophisticated operation that compromised the integrity of the education and licensing system.
The VB's action comes in response to a criminal case registered under FIR, dated December 8, 2023, citing violations of sections 420, 465, 466, 468, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The accused include former Registrars Parveen Kumar Bharadwaj and Dr Tejvir Singh, along with Superintendent Ashok Kumar — all of whom have been apprehended in connection with the case.
The Bureau’s official spokesperson disclosed that the investigation has expanded to include additional charges under sections 409 and 467 of the IPC, along with sections 7, 7-A, 8, and 13(1) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The probe has uncovered fake certificates spanning from 2005 to 2022, affecting 143 students and highlighting irregularities in admissions, registration, and the issuance of D-Pharmacy licenses by the PSPC.
In a major crackdown on Tuesday, nine pharmacists were arrested for their involvement in bribing owners and principals of private pharmacy colleges. These individuals allegedly procured forged 10+2 certificates, D-Pharmacy certificates, and fake registration certificates from the PSPC, putting public health at risk.
The arrested individuals are identified as Umesh Kumar, Mohammad Aslam, Abdul Sataar, Mohammad Maneer, Gurdeep Singh, Puneet Sharma, Ravinder Kumar, Ashok Kumar, and Maninder Singh. These individuals were found to have obtained their D-Pharmacy degrees from private institutions, including Punjab Multipurpose Medical Institute Sehna, Lord Krishna College of Pharmacy, Onkar College of Pharmacy, Ma Saraswati College of Pharmacy, GHG College of Pharmacy, and Lala Lajpat Rai College of Pharmacy.
The spokesperson emphasized that the accused are presently operating medical shops, potentially jeopardizing the lives of unsuspecting customers. The investigation further revealed that private colleges, in connivance with the implicated Registrars and officials of PSPC, allegedly admitted students from other states without obtaining mandatory migration certificates, while accepting substantial bribes.
Moreover, it was found that several students gained admission to the D-Pharmacy course by presenting 10+2 qualifications earned privately, bypassing regular classes and science practicals.
The VB spokesperson maintained that the arrested individuals will be produced in court on Wednesday, while a comprehensive investigation continues to scrutinize the roles of other officials, employees, and clerks associated with PSPC and private colleges.
