A major medical fraud racket uncovered in Rajasthan has exposed how foreign-trained MBBS graduates who failed to qualify for medical practice in India allegedly obtained fake registrations, forged internship records, and illegally entered the healthcare system by paying large sums of money.
The investigation, being conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Rajasthan Police, has so far led to the arrest of 28 individuals. Among those arrested are alleged mastermind Bhanaram Mali and former Rajasthan Medical Council registrar Rajesh Sharma. Investigators believe the network systematically helped ineligible candidates secure temporary medical registrations and begin practising as doctors despite not meeting the legal requirements mandated in India.
According to investigators, the scam primarily targeted Indian students who had completed their MBBS education in countries such as Kazakhstan and Russia. After returning to India, many of these graduates reportedly failed the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), the mandatory licensing examination that foreign medical graduates must clear before they can legally practise medicine in the country.
Rather than repeatedly attempting the examination, several candidates allegedly turned to the criminal network. Police claim that the accused charged between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 30 lakh per candidate to arrange forged documents, manipulate registration processes, and secure internship placements that appeared legitimate on paper.
Investigators allege that the operation involved the preparation of fake certificates, fabricated internship records, and fraudulent documentation used to obtain registrations through the Rajasthan Medical Council. These registrations then enabled candidates to work in hospitals and medical facilities as if they were fully qualified doctors.
In the latest phase of the investigation, authorities arrested three more alleged fake doctors: Deepak Yadav, Raju Gurjar, and Naresh Gurjar.
According to the SOG, Deepak Yadav completed his MBBS studies in Kazakhstan but failed the FMGE after returning to India. Investigators allege that he paid approximately Rs 24 lakh to obtain forged documents and subsequently completed an internship in Dausa using fraudulent credentials.
Police further claim that Raju Gurjar paid around Rs 27 lakh to gain similar benefits, while Naresh Gurjar allegedly spent approximately Rs 23 lakh to secure fake registrations and documentation. Investigators also suspect that Naresh's role extended beyond being a beneficiary of the scheme. He is accused of acting as a recruiter and intermediary, identifying potential candidates for the network and receiving commissions for bringing them into the operation.
The probe has revealed that the alleged racket was active across multiple districts of Rajasthan, including Jaipur, Dausa, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli, and Sawai Madhopur. Investigators believe the operation may have functioned for several years and could have facilitated the entry of numerous unqualified individuals into the healthcare system.
Authorities have now expanded the investigation significantly. More than 100 individuals are reportedly under scrutiny as investigators examine registration records, internship certificates, and professional credentials linked to foreign medical graduates throughout the state.
Officials view the case as far more serious than a conventional financial fraud. While the racket allegedly generated crores of rupees through illegal payments, investigators emphasise that the larger concern is public safety. The presence of individuals practising medicine without the legally required qualifications could have exposed patients to significant health risks.
The investigation is now focusing on identifying everyone involved in the chain, including brokers, officials, educational intermediaries, hospital personnel, and institutions that may have knowingly or unknowingly facilitated the fraudulent registrations and internships.
Authorities are also reviewing records maintained by the Rajasthan Medical Council to determine the full extent of the fraud. Investigators suspect that additional forged registrations and manipulated internship records may emerge as the inquiry progresses.
The scandal has raised broader concerns about oversight mechanisms governing foreign medical graduates in India. The FMGE exists specifically to ensure that graduates who obtain medical degrees abroad meet the standards required for practising medicine in India. Investigators believe the racket effectively bypassed these safeguards, allowing candidates who had failed the qualifying examination to obtain credentials through illegal means.
As the investigation widens, authorities expect further arrests and are examining whether similar networks may have operated beyond Rajasthan. The case is increasingly being viewed as one of the largest medical registration frauds uncovered in recent years, with implications not only for regulatory compliance but also for patient safety and public trust in the healthcare system.
