FIR filed against 2 ex-NMCH chiefs in CT scanner 'scam'

PATNA: Acting on a directive of Patna high court, the vigilance department has registered an FIR against two former superintendents of Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH) – Dr Santosh Kumar and Dr Shiv Kumari Prasad – for their alleged involvement in CT scanner installation “scam”.
According to the FIR lodged by vigilance DSP R K Poddar on October 22 under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, Dr Kumar had entered into an agreement with a multinational firm on behalf of the hospital for installation of a CT scanner worth Rs 1.5 crore for which the firm was required to deposit 25% bank guarantee.However, Dr Kumar allegedly extended undue favour to the firm by permitting it to deposit only 5% bank guarantee.
Pradeep Kumar Das, an official of the firm, who had deposited Rs 7.5 lakh as bank guarantee due to the favour extended by Dr Kumar, has also been made an accused in the case. One Shiv Prakash Rai of Nagrik Adhikar Manch had filed a civil writ petition in the high court last year, alleging gross irregularities in installation of CT scanner at NMCH.
According to the FIR, Dr Kumar released 60% of the money to the firm even before the documents were handed over to the hospital and the rest 20% was given to the firm before the consignment reached the hospital.
Vigilance sources said the machine, which was installed in 2006-2007, became defunct within a few days. “In fact, a second hand CT scanner was installed at the hospital,” the sources said, adding that in 2012, the then superintendent of the hospital, Dr Shiv Kumari Prasad, paid Rs 22.72 lakh to the firm even though it failed to impart training to hospital technicians and doctors to handle the machine.
Vigilance SP Shiv Kumar Jha said allegations against the former superintendents of the hospital and the official of the company were found prima facie true. “The investigation is on,” Jha added.