Overview

• The CBI carried out searches at PCI President Montu M. Patel’s Ahmedabad residence and office premises, seizing approval records, financial documents and other evidence.
• A first information report filed on June 30 followed a preliminary enquiry launched in May 2023 after a complaint from Union Health Ministry Under Secretary Amit Biswas.
• Investigations have expanded beyond Gujarat to Maharashtra plus other states, flagging 23 pharmacy colleges in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan for serious deficiencies.
• Investigators say recognitions were sold for money through fake entries, backdated approvals and manipulation of Gujarat Public Service Commission records under Patel’s tenure.
• The probe covers alleged co-opting of members to control the PCI’s Executive Committee in April 2022 and a 2023–24 move to online inspections that investigators say bypassed physical compliance checks.