Rajasthan University of Health and Sciences (RUHS) Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sudhir Bhandari, has tendered his resignation amidst mounting pressure following allegations of involvement in issuing fake No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for organ transplants. Dr. Bhandari’s resignation comes in the wake of the removal of other prominent figures implicated in the scandal, including Dr. Achal Sharma, Superintendent of Sawai Mansingh Hospital, and Dr. Rajeev Bagrahatta, former Principal of Sawai Mansingh Medical College.
According to sources close to the matter, the state government had been contemplating Dr. Bhandari’s removal, with Medical and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar reportedly scheduled to meet Governor Kalraj Mishra to discuss the issue. Dr. Bhandari’s tenure, now under scrutiny, faces the possibility of further investigation.
In addition to stepping down from his position as Vice Chancellor of RUHS, Dr. Bhandari has also been relieved of his duties as Chairman of Suits. The state government had initially requested his resignation from both positions, and failing that, was prepared to seek his removal through official channels.
Minister Khinvsar hinted at the potential for an inquiry into Dr. Bhandari’s previous tenure, particularly during his role as Principal of Sawai Mansingh College amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Bhandari’s trajectory within the medical sector includes a distinguished career as Senior Professor and Unit Head in the Department of General Medicine at SMS Medical College before assuming administrative roles.
The scandal unfolded in April when the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) apprehended the Assistant Administrative Officer of SMS Hospital along with officials from private hospitals Fortis and EHCC for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for facilitating organ transplant NOCs. Subsequently, SMS Hospital suspended Assistant Administrative Officer Gaurav Singh, while the Medical Health Department revoked organ transplant licenses from EHCC, Fortis Escort, and Manipal Hospital in response to the revelations.
The allegations of corruption and malpractice surrounding organ transplant procedures have cast a shadow over the healthcare sector in Rajasthan, prompting swift disciplinary actions against those implicated. Dr. Bhandari’s resignation marks another significant development in the ongoing investigation, underscoring the government’s commitment to upholding integrity and accountability within the medical community.
As the fallout from the scandal continues to unfold, questions linger regarding the extent of complicity and systemic failures that may have enabled such misconduct. With calls for transparency and stringent oversight growing louder, the authorities face the daunting task of restoring public trust and ensuring that such egregious violations of ethical standards are swiftly addressed and rectified.
 Vice Chancellor, Dr. Sudhir Bhandari, has tendered his resignation amidst mounting pressure following allegations of involvement in issuing fake No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for organ transplants.){kind=link}