๐ On July 3, 2025, the CBI raided the Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar homes of PCI President Montu Kumar Patel over alleged bribery and college approval irregularities .
๐ธ An FIR alleges Dr. Patel accepted bribes to approve underqualified pharmacy colleges and bypass proper inspections .
๐บ Physical inspections were scrapped in favor of quick 8‑minute online audits in 2023–24, paving the way for potential corruption .
๐ซ Investigators found “phantom colleges” in UP, MP, Gujarat & Rajasthan approved despite dilapidated infrastructure .
๐ด️ A senior CBI officer noted that “college recognitions were being sold for money under Patel’s tenure” .
๐ค The probe uncovered fake records, back‑dated approvals, GPSC portal manipulation, and electoral sway tactics . ๐ง The investigation follows a Supreme Court critique in May over PCI’s “arbitrary” decisions—spotlighting deep governance issues .
๐งพ The CBI will likely expand the probe to cover key states like Maharashtra, targeting systemic faults .
⚠️ Dr. Patel, elected in April 2022, hasn’t been arrested yet; however, the evidence seized is described as “substantial” . ๐️ With accreditation credibility at stake, experts now call for a full overhaul of PCI’s college recognition and inspection system .
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Sources : Harsh Y
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