2 doctors detained over alleged extortion in Kanpur home guard recruitment
Kanpur: In an alleged extortion case involving medical tests for home guard recruitment in Kanpur, candidates claimed they were asked to pay bribes to be declared medically fit. Police have detained two doctors and another person for questioning.
The candidates alleged that they were threatened with being declared medically unfit unless they paid the demanded amounts. According to their claims, candidates flagged for nasal problems were allegedly asked to pay between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000, while those with eye-related issues were reportedly asked to pay as much as Rs 50,000.
The candidates alleged that they were given slips carrying a mobile number and instructed to contact it to make payments. Some reportedly paid online or in cash to a man they identified as the driver of a doctor’s car.
The allegations triggered a commotion at Police Lines on Thursday evening. During the confrontation, some candidates allegedly assaulted a young man sitting in the doctor’s car and handed him over to the police. Two other men reportedly escaped amid the disturbance.
Kotwali police registered a case following a complaint from an official of the Home Guard Commandant’s office. An initial investigation found evidence of money being transferred online, along with allegations that cash had been collected in exchange for assurances of clearing the medical examination.
Police said the detained individuals were being questioned and that further action would depend on the findings of the investigation.
Medical tests for selected candidates are being conducted from Oct 15 to Oct 29 after document verification and physical tests. The chief medical officer had constituted a three-member doctors’ panel. Two hundred candidates were called on the first day, TOI reported.
The recruitment examination was held in April, and its results were declared on June 29. Police have informed the district Home Guard authorities about the allegations as the investigation continues.
