Bengaluru: in a city that prides itself on being a hub of education and healthcare, an investigation into an ayurveda medical institution has uncovered a pattern of alleged deception, regulatory evasion, and systemic neglect that raises serious questions about oversight and patient safety.
A months-long probe by The Aryavarth Express, in collaboration with Samachar Parivartan, has flagged glaring irregularities at shri paripurna sanatana ayurveda medical college hospital and research centre, an institution affiliated with the national commission for indian system of medicine (ncism) and linked locally to rajiv gandhi university of health sciences (rguhs).
Documents and on-ground verification suggest that the college, which is permitted 60 seats under ncism norms, is mandated to maintain a fully functional teaching hospital with a minimum of 36 qualified doctors, including faculty and clinical staff. however, the investigation indicates that the majority of these doctors may exist only “on paper”.
Sources familiar with the institution’s internal functioning allege that several listed faculty members are not physically present, despite salaries being officially disbursed. funds are reportedly routed back through informal channels, a practice that, if proven, would amount to financial fraud and regulatory violation.
The discrepancies extend to patient care. despite official records showing regular inflow and treatment of patients, field visits revealed near-empty wards, with only one or two patients over multiple days. investigators allege that fabricated patient records are being submitted to meet ncism and university compliance requirements.
The ground reality, according to those who visited the campus, paints a starkly different picture: absence of basic hospital infrastructure, no emergency services, lack of ambulance facilities, and poor sanitation standards, including substandard food in the canteen. “it does not resemble a functional hospital,” said one investigator, requesting anonymity.
Even more serious are allegations regarding the credentials of the institution’s leadership. the chairman, who is said to present himself as an ayurveda practitioner and specialist in marma chikitsa, allegedly does not possess a legally recognised medical degree. instead, sources claim, he relies on honorary doctorates and unverified certifications while continuing to treat patients.
If true, this raises grave concerns about patient safety and the legality of medical practice within the institution.
Despite the scale of these allegations, there appears to have been little to no regulatory intervention. both ncism and rguhs conduct periodic inspections to ensure compliance with academic and clinical standards. however, insiders allege that inspections are routinely “managed”, with officials allegedly receiving inducements during visits.
These claims, while yet to be independently verified by authorities, point to a larger malaise of regulatory capture and erosion of institutional accountability.
Financial irregularities form another layer of concern. the institution has reportedly been declaring consistent losses over the years. yet, sources point to significant personal expenditure by the chairman, including high-profile self-promotion and image-building exercises.
Adding to the opacity is the claim of substantial annual funding from a foreign donor, allegedly based in russia. the identity of the donor, the purpose of the funds, and the channels through which the money is routed remain unclear. sources question why an institution showing no profit continues to receive large inflows of foreign funds, raising the possibility of money laundering or hawala transactions.
These claims underscore the need for scrutiny not just by health regulators but also by financial and enforcement agencies, including the income tax department and the ministry of home affairs.
The implications go beyond a single institution. students enrolled in such colleges risk graduating without adequate clinical training, potentially entering the healthcare system ill-equipped to treat patients. “if doctors are trained in absentia, the consequences will be borne by society at large,” said a senior academic in the ayurveda field.
The investigation team maintains that it has access to documents, testimonies, and contact trails that could assist authorities in pursuing the case further. they have called for an immediate and independent inquiry, strict enforcement of medical education norms, and criminal action against those found guilty.
In a sector where trust is paramount, the allegations, if proven, point to a dangerous collapse of standards. the silence of regulators so far only deepens the crisis.
