Uttar Pradesh Government Doctor Arrested for Allegedly Extorting Police Recruits During Medical Exams
A major corruption scandal has come to light in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, where a senior government doctor involved in the recruitment process for the state police force has been arrested for allegedly demanding bribes from candidates.
The accused reportedly threatened to fail them during their mandatory medical examinations if they refused to pay.
The incident revolves around Dr. Hari Narayan Prabhakar, a 48-year-old orthopaedic surgeon posted at the district government hospital in Mathura, who was serving as a key member of the medical examination committee responsible for screening newly selected candidates in the Uttar Pradesh Police Constable Recruitment process.
The medical examinations for successful candidates were scheduled to take place over a nearly three-week period, beginning on April 22 and concluding on May 10, during which time over 1,000 recruits were expected to be medically evaluated as part of the final leg of the recruitment procedure.
According to the Mathura Police, Dr. Prabhakar allegedly exploited his official position by coercing recruits into paying bribes to pass the examination.
He reportedly told candidates that unless they paid him a certain amount, he would mark them “unfit” during the medical check-up, effectively ending their chances of joining the police force despite clearing earlier stages of the selection process.
Tip-Off from a Victim Leads to Arrest
The racket came to light after one of the police recruits, who had allegedly been approached with a bribe demand, decided to report the matter to the authorities.
Acting swiftly on the information received, police officials launched a covert operation and succeeded in arresting Dr. Prabhakar along with three of his associates.
The other individuals arrested include:
- Dr. Prabhakar’s 44-year-old wife, who is reported to run a private hospital in the area.
- Mathuresh, a 40-year-old government pharmacist also posted at the district hospital, is allegedly an accomplice in the extortion scheme.
- Jaipal, a 53-year-old private driver employed by Dr. Prabhakar, was suspected of acting as a courier and liaison in the bribery racket.
During the arrest, authorities recovered ₹1.30 lakh in cash, believed to be bribe money collected from candidates, and six mobile phones, which are now being examined for evidence of communication and financial transactions related to the case.
Legal Action and Official Statements
All four accused individuals have been booked under multiple provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act as well as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the newly implemented criminal code.
Police have stated that further sections may be added as the investigation progresses and more victims come forward.
Circle Officer Shweta Verma, speaking to reporters, confirmed that both Dr. Prabhakar and his associate, pharmacist Mathuresh, were serving at the government district hospital at the time of their arrest.
She further explained that initial investigations indicate a deliberate and systematic attempt to target newly recruited police candidates, exploiting their desperation and anxiety during the high-stakes medical evaluation stage.
“The suspects were involved in a criminal conspiracy aimed at extracting money from aspirants who had already cleared the written and physical rounds of the police recruitment. The threat of failing the final medical exam was used to force compliance,” Verma said.
Implications for the Recruitment Process
This scandal has raised serious concerns over the integrity of the Uttar Pradesh Police recruitment process, especially at a time when the state is actively recruiting thousands of personnel to bolster its law enforcement capabilities.
The exposure of such a bribery network within the medical screening phase has prompted calls for greater oversight and stricter verification of those involved in official evaluation roles.
Authorities are expected to conduct a thorough review of the medical examination procedures, and more arrests may follow as police scrutinise mobile phone data, financial records, and testimonies from additional candidates who might have been victimised.
As investigations continue, the Uttar Pradesh Police Department has assured the public that strong action will be taken against any individual found guilty of corrupt practices, particularly those misusing public office for personal gain. The department also urged candidates to report any instances of bribery or coercion without fear of retribution.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenge of combating corruption in public recruitment and ensuring fairness and transparency for all aspirants seeking government service roles.
