The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has decided to inquire into the allegations that two of the top consultants of Safdarjung Hospital had used false SC certificates for furtherance of their careers. In a notice issued to the medical superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital, a copy of which is in the possession of this
newspaper, the NCSC has sought clarification regarding false Scheduled Caste certificates of Dr Sudha Salhan and Dr K.T. Bhow-mik, working as consultants at Safdarjung Hospital. The letter states: “....the commission has decided to inv-estigate into the matter in pursuance of the power conferred upon it under Article 338 of the Cons-titution of India. You are hereby requested to submit the facts and information on the action taken on the allegations... within 15 days.”
The commission has said that if the explanation was given within the stipulated time, it would summon the officials concerned in person (or of a representative) in exercise of its power as a civil court.
The notice has been sent in the wake of a complaint received from Dr Rajbir Singh Jatav, a private practitioner based in UP, asking NCSC to take action against the erring doctors for using false SC certificates for allegedly advancing in their careers. As per allegations, the two doctors in question got promoted as deans on the basis of the false certificate. Dr Bhowmik, when contacted for his version, refused to comment. Dr Salhan could not be contacted for her version.
When contacted, the medical superintendent of Safdarjung Hospital, Dr N.K. Mohanty said, “I have to forward this letter to the Union health ministry as they are the authority over this matter.”
Meanwhile, students of the Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, affiliated with Safdarjung Hospital, who had earlier alleged that the faculty was biased on caste lines have claimed that their allegations have turned out to be true. The students claimed that a fact finding committee, which was constituted earlier following their allegations of similar nature, has found that the students of SC/ST category were being deliberately failed.