Inquiry launched into bribery allegations against Lady Hardinge Medical College officer

New Delhi: Following allegations of bribery, criminal intimidation, and misconduct against an administrative officer at Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), the institution has constituted a committee to investigate the matter. 

The move comes within 48 hours of a report highlighting allegations against the Administrative Officer associated with the LHMC Stores Department. According to the complaints, the accused allegedly demanded a 10 percent commission on every purchase order issued by the hospital.

Also Read:Lady Hardinge Medical College officer accused of demanding bribes, threatening vendors

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that an administrative officer at Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) had come under scrutiny over serious allegations of bribery, criminal intimidation, and making derogatory remarks against two vendors registered with the institution.

Two vendors—PSV Biotech Private Limited and Promax India—have independently lodged complaints against the officer. PSV Biotech first wrote to the LHMC Director and the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on April 10, alleging demands for bribes, criminal intimidation, and the use of derogatory language. The company later escalated the matter by writing to the Union Health Secretary on April 28.

Meanwhile, Promax India lodged a complaint with the DGHS on April 21, accusing the same officer of demanding a bribe. The company also expressed its readiness to provide additional information and cooperate with any investigation.

Despite these complaints, both vendors alleged earlier this week that no visible action had been taken by the concerned authorities.

However, LHMC informed the vendors on Wednesday that, with the approval of the competent authority, a committee had been constituted to examine the allegations. In separate communications sent to both complainants, the college stated that the panel would investigate the matter and that the vendors might be called for personal interaction or clarification if deemed necessary during the inquiry.

Reacting to the development, Sachin Gupta, Director of PSV Biotech Private Limited, expressed concern over what he described as an "extraordinary delay" in initiating the inquiry. Speaking to ETV Bharat, he said, "I am surprised and deeply concerned that despite the matter having been raised long ago and highlighted in the media, I received communication only on June 3 stating that a committee has been constituted to examine the complaint. A considerable amount of time has already passed, and yet only the formation of a committee has been communicated. This delay is difficult to understand, particularly in a Central government institution located in Delhi."

Gupta questioned the reasons for the delay and sought details regarding steps taken to preserve evidence, including records, documents, electronic data, CCTV footage, and emails relevant to the complaint. He also asked for a timeline for completion of the inquiry and submission of the committee's report.

He alleged that the continued delay creates a reasonable apprehension that the concerned authorities may be attempting to shield the accused person and that valuable evidence may be tampered with, destroyed, altered, or otherwise rendered unavailable. "The matter must be expedited, and all relevant records and evidence must be secured immediately. A detailed status report should be provided explaining the reasons for the delay and the action taken so far," added Gupta, reports ETV Bharat.

As of the filing of this report, LHMC had not issued any official public statement regarding the allegations or the ongoing inquiry.

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