Deoghar Civil Surgeon Arrested for Bribery in Nursing Home Case

ACB Nabs Dr Ranjan Sinha Accepting Rs 70,000 for Registration Renewal

Key Points:

• Dr Ranjan Sinha caught taking bribe at residence for nursing home renewal

• ACB acted on complaint from Bengal Nursing Home owner Mahfuj Alam

• Civil surgeon demanded Rs 1.5 lakh, arrested with first installment

DHANBAD – The Anti-Crime Branch (ACB) of Dumka apprehended Dr Ranjan Sinha, the civil surgeon of Deoghar, for accepting a bribe of Rs 70,000 at his residence.

The arrest occurred during a sting operation related to the renewal of a nursing home registration. ACB officials revealed that Dr Sinha had demanded Rs 1.5 lakh from Mahfuj Alam, owner of Bengal Nursing Home in Madhupur.

Moreover, the incident unfolded on Wednesday morning at Dr Sinha’s residence in Deoghar Kalibari Belabgan. As Alam handed over the first installment, the waiting ACB team swiftly moved in to arrest the civil surgeon.

Dr Sinha, a 1988 batch medical officer, had served as Deoghar’s civil surgeon for two years. Notably, he retained his position during recent reshuffles of civil surgeons across the state.

Furthermore, the case stems from Alam’s application for renewal of his nursing home registration on July 3, 2024. The provisional registration was set to expire on June 9, 2024.

"We acted on a tip-off and caught the accused red-handed," stated an ACB official. "This arrest underscores our commitment to rooting out corruption in public offices."

In addition, Alam, a resident of Asansol, West Bengal, had established Bengal Nursing Home in Madhupur block of Deoghar. When he didn’t receive a response to his renewal application, he approached Dr Sinha directly.

However, instead of processing the application, Dr Sinha allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 1 lakh, later increased to Rs 1.5 lakh. He suggested that Alam pay the amount in installments.

On the other hand, Alam chose to report the matter to the ACB in Dumka. The agency verified the complaint and filed an FIR on October 15.

Meanwhile, Dr Sinha’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the medical community. His wife recently retired as a senior medical officer from Chatra, and his son is also a renowned doctor.

The ACB’s swift action in this case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within the healthcare system. It serves as a reminder that no official, regardless of seniority, is above the law.