BRD Medical College: A New Controversy Over an Illegal Pathology Lab

Baba Raghav Das (BRD) Medical College in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur has again found itself in the middle of a controversy. This time, principal Dr Ganesh Kumar is facing a backlash over corruption charges. 

An argument between BRD's cancer department HOD Dr. Mirza Qaiser Baig and the Dr Kumar took place after Dr Baig found out recently that a pathology lab was being run in the name of two teachers who are associated with the medical college, in the premises. Upon investigation, he tracked the illegal activity down to a few MBBS students and a clerk.

When Dr Baig asked Dr Kumar to take legal action against these doctors, Kumar reportedly denied to do so. As a result, Dr Baig has resigned from the post of chief security officer, accusing the principal of corruption and of practising autocracy. 

A local source, who chose to remain anonymous, told Newsclick, "Dr Archana Bundela and Dr Kanchan Srivastva, who are assistant professors at the pathology department, were running a pathology lab named Lilawati Pathology since three years with the help of Pankaj Saroj, a now final year MBBS student of BRD Medical College and a clerk named Ramdeen, who is working under principal Ganesh Kumar." 

He further alleged, "When these two doctors were exposed, they made the students and the clerk scapegoats. They also filed an FIR against them, who are now absconding. When the clerk is working under the principal, how come he is unaware of this?"

One of the allegations says that the documents of the two doctors were stolen from their residences to run pathology lab in their name. 

When Newsclick contacted Dr Kanchan Srivastava, she said, "I am on leave, as my health is not good, and I am not allowed to speak to any media person. If you want any information, you must speak to media cell of the college."

She, however, added, "This issue is not under my code of conduct. I will not confirm anything nor deny because this matter is under investigation. I have done my job informing the appropriate authorities. Whatever I had to say, I have told the authorities, and the documents are with them. I am not aware of any allegation, but I am the one who filed an FIR against those who are using my documents to run the pathology lab.” 

Dr Kumar told Newsclick, "Dr Baig’s allegation is baseless because pathology lab is not running in the BRD premises, and the documents of the doctors were stolen from their residence. Not from the hospital. How am I accountable for this? Baig  should file an FIR against those who is using the documents of the doctors for running the lab. When he came to know who is using whose documents then why  is he not meeting the chief medical officer (CMO)? CMO will constitute a committee to investigate this issue. If someone is found guilty, we will take all legal action against him."

He further said that no action can be taken against anyone without any solid proof. “Police will look into the matter,” he concluded.

When asked why Baig has resigned from the post of chief security officer, Kumar said, "He is running from his duty, and I had not appointed him as the chief security officer. Soon after resigning from the post, he sent a letter saying that he is taking his resignation back. This is childish act done by the Dr Baig." 

Newsclick also approached Dr Baig for his comments, but he did not respond.