In the wake of the ongoing investigations into 2008-09 Medical Officers (MO) recruitment scam conducted by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), the state Vigilance Bureau (VB) has urged the State Government to take decisive action against candidates found guilty of fraudulent practices.
Following recommendations from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Health and Family Welfare Department, on December 19, 2023, instructed the Police Department to initiate necessary steps against the erring candidates.
At the heart of the scam lies the exploitation of forged certificates to secure undue social work weightage in the medical field, prompting the VB to lodge two cases at its Patiala range police station. According to an official spokesperson, the SIT, led by eminent officials including MS Bali, IPS (retd), and Suresh Arora, the former Chief Director of VB, emphasized the imperative of legal action against individuals under sections 120-B, 420, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
In response to the Punjab Government's directives, the VB registered FIRs under sections 13(1)(a) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and sections 409 and 120B of IPC against the then members of PPSC for their alleged complicity in conspiracy and criminal misconduct during the MO selection process.
Additionally, another FIR was lodged against Dr Satwant Singh Mohi, a former member of PPSC, under sections 13(1)(a) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for purportedly amassing disproportionate assets.
The ongoing investigations, overseen by the Senior Superintendent of Police, VB, Range Patiala, have witnessed significant developments. Dr. Satwant Singh Mohi was apprehended by the VB on December 19, 2023, while three other accused individuals – DS Mahal, Ravinder Kaur, and Anil Sarin – have received interim protection from arrest from the High Court, with instructions to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.