CBI names Kalol Swaminarayan University VP in medical college inspection scam
Updated: Jul 5th, 2025
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) alleging widespread irregularities in the inspection and approval process for medical colleges across India. The complaint names 39 individuals, including senior university officials, doctors, and administrators from 14 medical institutions.
Among those named is Swami Bhaktavatsal Das, Vice President of Swaminarayan University, based in Kalol, Gandhinagar. The university’s medical wing—the Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SIMSR)—figures prominently in the list of colleges under investigation.
Ghost faculty, advance alerts and bribes alleged
According to the FIR, inspections meant to assess the quality and readiness of new medical colleges were manipulated through collusion between private firms and college officials. The CBI alleges that R Randip Nair, project head at M/s Technifisolutions Pvt. Ltd, used his position to tip off certain colleges in advance about upcoming surprise inspections by the Medical Commission.
This advance notice enabled college administrators to fabricate compliance documentation and employ ‘ghost’ faculty—dummy or non-existent teaching and non-teaching staff—to create the appearance of compliance during inspections. The FIR also alleges that bribes were collected to facilitate these activities and influence outcomes in favour of the colleges.
Swaminarayan Medical College approvals now under review
The Swaminarayan Institute of Medical Sciences and Research was granted approval by the Medical Commission in 2023 to admit 150 students to its MBBS programme. Admissions were conducted for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 academic years.
As per the Fee Regulation Committee, the tuition fees for the 2025–26 academic year have been fixed at ₹10.14 lakh under the government quota and ₹19.40 lakh under the management quota.
While the college is relatively new, it is part of the larger Swaminarayan University group, which runs several other institutions across Gujarat, including colleges for engineering, nursing, physiotherapy, and management. The naming of a top university official in the FIR is likely to bring wider scrutiny to the university’s operations.
CBI expands education sector probe to medical institutions
The FIR represents an escalation of the CBI’s investigation into alleged malpractices in higher education. The agency had earlier launched a similar probe into corruption in pharmacy college inspections. With medical institutions now under the scanner, authorities are expected to review recent approvals more closely.
The status of SIMSR’s future approvals remains uncertain as the investigation progresses. It is unclear whether the college will receive clearance in the next round of Medical Commission evaluations expected later this year.
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