Meerut | A major corruption case at the Surajkund office of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) has exposed deep-rooted irregularities and an alleged transfer racket operating within the department. Following allegations of a ₹50,000 bribe taken from an employee in exchange for a transfer, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted an extensive 19-hour search operation, seizing key documents and files. Several officials and staff members have now come under scrutiny and may be called in for questioning.
According to sources, the CBI team reached the CGHS office on Thursday evening around 5 pm and began a detailed inspection. The initial focus was on files related to employee transfers, where multiple discrepancies and suspicious patterns reportedly surfaced. Officials present at the office were questioned, and in some cases, mobile phones were temporarily seized to aid the investigation.
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Following the office search, the team took the additional director, Dr Natasha Verma, and her personal assistant, Sunny, to a residence in the Ganganagar area. A thorough search was carried out there as well, continuing late into the night. Investigators are believed to have collected crucial documents and digital evidence that could help establish links and confirm the extent of the alleged racket. Both individuals were later taken into custody and moved to Ghaziabad for further proceedings.
The operation created a tense atmosphere at the Surajkund office, where staff members remained present until late hours. Movement in and out of the premises was restricted during the search, and employees were not allowed to leave. Concerned family members of some staff even reached the dispensary premises looking for them. Despite the scale of the operation, the raid remained largely unnoticed in the surrounding residential areas until much later.
Preliminary findings suggest that the transfer process may have been deliberately manipulated to create opportunities for illegal financial gains. Employees were allegedly transferred to less desirable locations and later offered re-posting to preferred locations in exchange for money. Investigators suspect that this was not an isolated incident but part of a larger, organised system involving multiple individuals at different levels.
The case has gained further significance as it marks the second such major operation within a year at the same CGHS facility. In August 2025, another operation had led to allegations of a ₹5 lakh bribe demand against senior officials. That case also invoked provisions under anti-corruption laws. The recurrence of such incidents within a short span has raised serious concerns about systemic issues within the institution.
Investigators are now expanding the scope of the probe to examine transfer records from previous years. The aim is to identify patterns, detect irregularities, and determine how many employees may have been affected by similar demands. Officials believe that the current complaint may be just one instance of a much larger network that has operated undetected for a long time.
Experts point out that lack of transparency and complex administrative procedures often create fertile ground for corruption in government systems. When processes are not streamlined and accountability is weak, opportunities for exploitation increase. They stress that strong oversight mechanisms and digital tracking of administrative decisions can significantly reduce such risks.
At present, the investigation is progressing based on the evidence collected during the raids. More disclosures are expected in the coming days as officials analyse documents and question those involved. Authorities have indicated that further action, including additional arrests, cannot be ruled out.
The crackdown highlights both the seriousness of the allegations and the growing focus on tackling corruption within public institutions. At the same time, it underscores the urgent need for structural reforms to prevent recurrence. Ensuring transparency, simplifying procedures, and enforcing strict accountability will be crucial in restoring trust and preventing such organised malpractice in the future.
