Dr. Ketan Desai’s arrest shocks medical fraternity

Ahmedabad based Dr. Ketan Desai’s arrest has shocked medical fraternity across the country. Dr. Ketan Desai is head of the department of Urology in Ahmedabad’s Civil hospital, but he was hardly seen here. Dr. Ketan Desai is known as Big Boss and Don of the medical fraternity of India. Last year when Junior doctors strike had put Gujarat government in difficult situation, Ketan Desai was called and a meeting between Ketan Desai, Gujarat Health Minister and student union was held in Ahmedabad. After the meeting, the students said that they would resume the work because of Dr. Ketan Desai’s appeal.

On Thursday the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Medical Council of India (MCI) president Ketan Desai in Delhi on charges of corruption.

Desai and an associate, J.P. Singh, were picked up for allegedly demanding Rs 2 crore for granting recognition to a private medical college in Punjab. It is the MCI’s responsibility to maintain standards in medical education and in the profession.

The CBI laid a trap after receiving a complaint and caught Singh red-handed with Rs 2 crore, to be delivered to Desai. It also conducted raids in Punjab, Delhi and Gujarat to trace Desai’s other associates and the assets he has acquired.

Desai was accused of granting recognition to several colleges that didn’t meet required criteria. In 2001, he had stepped down as MCI president after the Delhi High Court indicted him on corruption charges.

Desai’s Ahmedabad residence was also raided by CBI on Thursday night.