Kanpur. A bribery scandal has surfaced during the medical examination process for Home Guard recruitment in Kanpur, where doctors have been accused of demanding money from candidates in exchange for declaring them medically fit. The investigation has uncovered evidence of alleged illegal payments totalling around ₹3 lakh from 22 candidates, with transactions reportedly routed through three bank accounts. The case took an unexpected turn on Friday when two doctors and a private driver, who were being prepared for transfer to jail after being granted 14 days of judicial remand, complained of health problems and were taken to Ursala Hospital. All three were subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), prompting questions about the sudden medical emergency.
Uproar During Medical Examination Exposes Alleged Bribery
Medical examinations for around 200 Home Guard recruitment candidates were being conducted at the Kanpur Police Lines. The Chief Medical Officer had constituted two panels comprising specialist doctors for the process. The doctors included ENT specialists Dr Praveen Kumar and Dr Mahesh Dwivedi, along with ophthalmologist Dr Devendra Singh Rajput.
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At around 8 pm on Thursday, candidates alleged that doctors were threatening to declare them medically unfit by citing problems such as a crooked nose or eye defects. They claimed that money was being demanded in exchange for passing the medical examination.
During the commotion, candidates caught Ajit, the private driver of Dr Praveen Kumar, allegedly collecting money while sitting inside a car. The candidates reportedly assaulted him before handing him over to the police. Following protests by a large number of candidates, the police intervened and detained the two doctors and the driver.
Accused Complain of Illness Before Being Taken to Jail
On Friday, when preparations were underway to send the three accused to jail following the grant of 14 days of judicial remand, all three reportedly complained of health problems.
Dr Praveen Kumar Saxena cited a heart-related problem, while Dr Mahesh Dwivedi complained of severe cervical pain. The driver, Ajit, claimed that he had sustained a head injury during the assault by candidates and lay down.
The three were taken to Ursala Hospital, where emergency medical officer Dr Sapan Gupta admitted them directly to the ICU. According to hospital director Dr Seema Srivastava, detailed medical reports had been sought from the doctors treating the accused. The reports will be provided to the police for further action.
Three Bank Accounts Used to Route Payments
According to ACP Amit Kumar Pandey, Dr Praveen Kumar and Dr Mahesh Dwivedi admitted during questioning that they had taken money in exchange for clearing candidates in the medical examination.
The driver allegedly told investigators that he had collected payments from candidates at Dr Praveen’s direction. The money was transferred through UPI and PhonePe into three separate bank accounts.
Police also recovered a diary or list from Ajit containing candidates’ names and details of the amounts allegedly collected from them. Investigators suspect that two unidentified individuals were also involved in the collection and escaped with substantial amounts of cash.
During a search, police reportedly recovered ₹30,000 in cash from Dr Praveen Kumar.
The candidates named in the investigation include Abhishek Kushwaha, who allegedly paid ₹5,000 online and ₹45,000 in cash; Himanshu Kumar, who reportedly transferred ₹30,000 online; and Ramji, who allegedly paid ₹35,000 online and ₹15,000 in cash.
Other alleged payments included ₹50,000 transferred by A. Singh for his younger brother, ₹30,000 paid online by Dipendra Singh, and ₹10,000 transferred by Ajay Kumar to an account belonging to Sujeet Kumar, along with another ₹40,000 allegedly paid in cash. Utkarsh Singh reportedly paid ₹15,000 in cash, Anchal Kumar transferred ₹20,000 online, and Praveen Kumar allegedly paid ₹50,000 in cash.
Police said evidence of illegal collections amounting to approximately ₹3 lakh had been found in connection with 22 candidates. These candidates have also submitted written complaints. Nearly 200 candidates reportedly raised allegations of bribery during the recruitment medical process.
Dispute Over Medical Queue Brought the Alleged Racket to Light
Investigators believe that a dispute over priority in the medical examination helped expose the alleged bribery network.
According to the account emerging from the investigation, two brothers had both been selected for recruitment. One brother had allegedly paid a bribe and completed his medical examination. When the second brother allegedly paid an intermediary and joined the queue, he insisted on being examined before others.
The demand triggered protests among candidates waiting in line, eventually bringing the alleged racket to the attention of the authorities.
FIR Registered Under Anti-Corruption and Examination Laws
On the complaint of Home Guard Inspector Sudhanshu Singh, Kanpur Kotwali police registered an FIR at 5:12 am on October 16 against Dr Praveen Kumar, Dr Mahesh Dwivedi, Dr Devendra Singh Rajput, driver Ajit and two unidentified individuals.
The case includes provisions of Sections 7 and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Sections 6 and 13(3) of the Uttar Pradesh Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
Home Guard District Commandant Preeti Sharma said a fresh date would be announced for the medical examination cancelled on Thursday due to the alleged irregularities. Medical examinations for around 200 candidates were conducted afresh on Friday.
The police investigation is continuing to establish the role of each accused, trace the alleged cash collections and identify the two unidentified suspects.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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