A document verification drive in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district has uncovered an alleged fake MBBS degree racket involving government healthcare appointments, leading to multiple arrests and raising fresh questions about recruitment checks within the public health system.
The investigation began after Damoh Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Mukesh Jain ordered the verification of educational and registration documents submitted by doctors working at Sanjeevani Clinics under the National Health Mission (NHM). Officials reportedly received complaints regarding the credentials of some appointees, prompting a closer review of recruitment records.
During the verification process, discrepancies were found in documents submitted by several individuals appointed to medical positions. The findings were forwarded to police, who started examining appointment files, registration records and educational certificates.
The inquiry resulted in the arrest of Kumar Sachin Yadav from Gwalior, Rajpal Gaur from Sehore and Ajay Maurya. According to investigators, the three men secured government healthcare jobs using forged MBBS degrees and related documents.
Police are examining how the documents were prepared, where they originated and how they passed through recruitment procedures without being detected during earlier checks.
As officers traced the source of the certificates, the investigation led them to Mukesh Choudhary of Gwalior. Investigators believe he played a central role in arranging fake MBBS degrees and supporting paperwork for candidates seeking medical jobs. According to the investigation, forged qualifications were allegedly sold for around ₹5 lakh each.
The case widened further after police arrested an NHM data clerk from Bhopal. Investigators suspect the employee helped bypass parts of the verification process used during recruitment. Authorities are examining whether access to official records was misused to facilitate appointments based on forged documents.
Following these arrests, investigators began reviewing additional recruitment records to determine whether similar documents had been used elsewhere. Officials are checking appointment files connected to healthcare facilities in other areas as part of the ongoing inquiry.
The Damoh case has attracted significant attention because it follows another major healthcare fraud investigation from the district.
Earlier this year, Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav was arrested after allegedly posing as British cardiologist Dr. John Camm. Authorities accused him of misrepresenting his qualifications and professional background while treating patients. The case received national attention and triggered a broader discussion about credential verification in the healthcare sector.
The latest investigation has brought those concerns back into focus.
Government healthcare facilities serve thousands of patients every day, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas where access to medical services can be limited. Patients generally trust that doctors working in public clinics have already undergone thorough verification before being appointed. Medical students and qualified doctors have also been closely following developments in the case. Securing an MBBS degree requires years of study, clinical training, examinations and professional registration. Competition for government medical positions remains intense across the country.
Investigators are continuing to analyse recruitment records, digital data and communication linked to the appointments. Police are also looking into whether additional individuals were involved in producing forged documents or facilitating appointments.
Officials have not ruled out further arrests as the inquiry progresses. Authorities say the investigation is now focused on identifying everyone connected to the network, establishing how the forged qualifications were created and determining whether similar cases exist beyond Damoh.
The findings are expected to play an important role in future reviews of recruitment and verification procedures within government healthcare programmes in Madhya Pradesh. The case remains under investigation.
