The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted extensive raids at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and other locations on Friday.
The operation was triggered by allegations of forged documents being used to secure both temporary and permanent jobs at the prestigious medical institution.
According to sources, an outsourcing agency allegedly facilitated fake certificates for several individuals, enabling their appointments at AIIMS. The CBI has taken the prime accused into custody and is interrogating him. Shockingly, five members of the accused’s family are also alleged to have secured permanent positions using forged credentials—three as record clerks and two as sanitary inspectors.
A nine-member CBI team searched the academic block of AIIMS Bhubaneswar for nearly five hours, questioning 27 staff members. Raids were also conducted at a flat in Kalpana, Bhubaneswar, and in Jagatsinghpur, where crucial documents were seized.
Officials believe the seized papers may reveal further details about the scam. The investigation is expected to widen, with more individuals likely to be summoned. Notably, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
This isn’t the first time the institute has faced scrutiny. In March 2023, the CBI had raided the premises over a pharmacy tender scam. Later in July 2023, a recruitment notification for 700 posts led to fresh allegations of irregularities, prompting multiple complaints and the current probe.
The scandal has sparked public outrage across Odisha, with citizens demanding stricter norms and transparency in government recruitment processes. Social media is abuzz with calls for accountability, especially given the stature of AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
