MP doctor caught taking bribe found posted in 3 districts; probe underway

Khargone (MP), Jul 8 (PTI) A medical officer caught allegedly taking a Rs 5,000 bribe in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district has been found to be simultaneously posted in two other districts, prompting an investigation, officials said. Preliminary inquiries showed that the accused, Dr Mahesh Chand Sharma, was serving as a contractual medical officer not only at the Ufri Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Shahdol, but also at facilities in Sheopur and Khargone. The unusual simultaneous postings have raised questions about attendance and salary payments, they said. On July 3, Sharma was caught by the Rewa Lokayukta team while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 at the Ufri centre. Subsequent checks showed he had also been posted at the Sahasram PHC in Sheopur from 2021, and at the Keli PHC in Khargone’s Segaon block since February 2023. Officials in Khargone confirmed repeated absenteeism, including his absence during a delivery case at Keli on June 8, which led the district magistrate to recommend action. His salary was withheld in May but later released in June after claims of regular attendance. In Shahdol, his salary has not been released for four months due to irregular presence, officials said. Departmental inquiries have been initiated in Shahdol, Sheopur, and Khargone. Considering the case suspicious, a four-member inquiry committee has been formed in Sheopur, and a letter has been written to the Chief Medical Officer of Shahdol, seeking information about Sharma's posting and service record, Sheopur CMO Dr Dilip Singh Sikarwar said. PTI COR MAS GK