Fake Organ Transplant NOC Case: Principal, Medical Superintendent of SMS Medical College resigns

Jaipur: In an update regarding the sale and purchase of fake No-objection certificates (NOCs) for organ transplants in the state, two doctors Dr Rajeev Bagarhatta, principal of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Medical College, and Dr Achal Sharma, superintendent, SMS Hospital have tendered their resignation from their posts voluntarily on Monday. 

While the state health department accepted the resignation of the two doctors, it removed Dr Sudhir Bhandari as the chairman of the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO). 

The Rajasthan government has removed two senior medical officers in the fake no-objection certificates (NOCs) for organ transplants, said a senior official.

This comes after a high-level committee was formed to investigate the sale of fake no-objection certificates (NOCs) for organ transplants and a report was submitted within 15 days. 

According to a PTI report, Along with this, the state government has given the charge of principal and controller of SMS Medical College to Cardiology Department senior professor Dr Deepak Maheshwari and senior professor (anaesthesia) Dr Sushil Bhati of the post of superintendent of SMS Hospital till further orders.

Meanwhile, the state government has issued a notification for the appointment of the additional commissioner of police (crime) as the appropriate authority under the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act, 1994.

Also read- Jaipur Fake Organ Transplant NOC Case: 6 Doctors Under Anti-Corruption Bureau's Radar

In the report, the committee headed by medical education commissioner Iqbal Khan issues show cause notices to Dr Achal Sharma, SMS Medical College's former principal and controller Dr Sudhir Bhandari, and Dr Amarjeet Mehta, joint director of SOTTO. 

Further, the committee inquired about the specific details of his time at Sawai Man Singh Medical College, requesting information on the state-level authorisation committee for organ donation meetings, decisions made during these meetings, and NOCs issued. They also sought clarification on how he managed correspondence as SOTTO chairman following his retirement as principal.

As per the TOI news report, the committee report is expected to be forwarded to Raj Bhavan and a recommendation will be made to remove Dr Bhandari from his position as Rajasthan University of Health Sciences vice-chancellor.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that a team of the Jaipur Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested three hospital employees in the sale and purchase of fake no-objection certificates (NOCs) for organ transplants racket. 

The three accused were identified as an administrative officer of the government-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital and transplant coordinators of two leading private hospitals- EHCC Hospital and Fortis Hospital. The accused were caught red-handed at the hospital while allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 70,000 for issuing NOC for organ transplants.

Also read- Rajasthan: Fake Organ Transplant NOC Racket Busted; 2 Suspended, 1 Terminated