Nursing college scam: MP High Court orders removal of Nursing Council chairman, registrar

Bhopal: Observing that the presence of questionable officers could lead to evidence tampering, the Madhya Pradesh High Court recently ordered the removal of MP Nursing Registration Council (MPNRC) Chairman and Registrar, from their posts for their alleged involvement in nursing college scam.

Medical Dialogues had reported last year how the Madhya Pradesh Nursing Council, Bhopal had cancelled the affiliation of 19 nursing colleges for several allegations of irregularities including the appointment of fake teachers.

Last year, the CBI submitted its report on the alleged Nursing Colleges scam case to the Gwalior bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court. Submitting the report, CBI mentioned that 50 per cent of the colleges were found to be operating fraudulently. Further, the report also contained information about 140 out of 271 Nursing Colleges in the State.

Also read- MP nursing college scam: CBI teams allegedly took bribes of Rs 2-10 lakh from each institute

"We cannot allow such officers who were involved in the earlier process of granting recognition to hold such important posts in as much as there is every likelihood that such officers would, not only try to save their skin but also of other functionaries, try to tamper with the material. We despise such effort and find that it is nothing but an attempt to foil the endeavours made by the court for obviating the irregularities and illegalities in the process of granting recognition," observed the division bench of Justice Sanjay Dwivedi and Justice A K Paliwal as reported by TOI.

This comes after advocate Vishal Baghel, the petitioner in this case filed two applications before the court alleging that Chand used to be a member of an inspection committee that submitted a false report, on the basis of which, one R.K.S. Nursing College in Bhopal was granted recognition, although it was later cancelled.

Similarly, he said that Jiten Chandra Shukla was the director of MPNRC when several irregularities were committed in granting recognition to the nursing colleges. Therefore, he sought the removal of these two individuals from the key positions in MPNRC as they could tamper evidence against the erring officers, who had committed illegality.

When the court directed the state government orally to remove these duo from their positions, it also asked why such persons were placed in important posts of registrar and chairman, MPNRC. In response, the respondents showed a copy of an order dated Dec 2, 2024, issued by the directorate of medical education, wherein, a committee consisting of three members had been constituted to inspect and submit a report after analysing the complaints made against Anita Chand and inspecting the nursing colleges.

Dissatisfied with the constitution of the committee, the bench directed the Principal Secretary of the Public Health and Medical Education to remove Chand from the post of registrar and Shukla from the post of MPNRC chairman, and to instead “appoint some responsible officers, having unblemished service career, in their place”.

"In view of the above, we direct the principal secretary of public health and medical education to forthwith remove Anita Chand from the post of registrar and Dr Jiten Chandra Shukla from the post of chairman of MPNRC and instead appoint some responsible officers, having unblemished service career, in their place. The chief secretary is also directed to take cognizance in the matter and ensure compliance of the order of this court. The office of advocate general is directed to immediately communicate a copy of this order to the principal secretary, public health & medical education and to the chief secretary for compliance," said the bench.

Also read- MP Nursing College Affiliation Scam: HC Allows Affected Students to Appear in Exams