In a distressing revelation, corruption has cast a dark shadow over the educational sector, as the dean of a newly established medical college under the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh in exchange for facilitating an MBBS admission. The startling incident unfolded during a sting operation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College.
The individual at the center of this unfortunate saga is Ashish Srinath Banginwar, a 54-year-old who held the esteemed position of Dean at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College. The ACB’s swift intervention led to his apprehension, with the dean being caught in the act of soliciting the bribe. Following the operation, an FIR has been lodged at the Samarth police station, triggered by a formal complaint submitted by a 49-year-old doctor residing in Pune. Notably, aside from his role as the college’s dean, Ashish Srinath Banginwar is also a respected senior medical professional in Pune.
The genesis of this disheartening incident traces back to the admission process for the academic year 2023. The complainant’s son, having successfully cleared the NEET examination, earned a coveted place in the institutional quota at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College, an institute overseen by the Pune Municipal Corporation Medical Education Trust. His admission into the MBBS program was secured through the initial cap round of Maharashtra’s admission process.
Within the established framework, the stipulated annual admission fee for the program was Rs 22.50 lakh. Shockingly, Dean Ashish Banginwar purportedly demanded an unlawful sum of Rs 16 lakh in addition to the rightful fee for ensuring the admission. Recognizing the severity of the situation, the aggrieved party promptly filed an official complaint with the Pune ACB, which swiftly launched an investigation into the matter.
As the inquiry delved deeper, the disturbing reality emerged: an alleged bribe of Rs 16 lakh was solicited as a quid pro quo for securing the prized MBBS admission. This unsettling revelation underscores the pressing necessity for transparent and ethical practices within the realm of educational institutions. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding integrity and fairness in the pursuit of higher education.
