Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an investigation against two officials, including a deputy director rank official posted at plant quarantine office Mumbai which operates under the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (PPQS) following the allegations that they indulged into corrupt practices by taking undue advantage from the importer, exporter either directly or through Clearing House Agents (CHAs) in lieu of performing work. Plant quarantine office deals with import and export of plant and plant based material.

Officials Allegedly Took Bribes Through CHAs for Expedited Clearances and Fake Certificates

According to the CBI, a reliable source information was received that some public servants posted at plant quarantine office were indulged into corrupt practices by taking undue advantage from the importer/ exporter either directly or through CHAs in lieu of performing works such as expedite clearance payment, selective inspection practices, treatment requirement manipulation, issuance of certificate without proper inspection.

“It was further learnt from reliable sources that this collusive corruption is being run in connivance with CHAs at the said office. It was also learnt that the some customs clearing agents are sometimes facilitating illegal imports or avoid proper inspection procedures in exchange of regular payment of undue advantage to the officers posted at plant quarantine office and the officers posted there are demanding and accepting around Rs 600 per documents, consignment from the parties or their CHAs,” said a CBI official.

“In order to verify the said allegations, a joint surprise check (JSC) team of CBI Officers, officers from vigilance of the department of agriculture and farmers welfare on 16.07.2025 conducted checks. During JSC, public dealing counters situated in the said office were checked. The bag and wallets of the staff available were also checked and it was found that a cash amount of Rs 49,750 was found in their possession and they were asked to explain the cash amount. It has transpired that the unaccounted money in cash has been accepted by the accused public servants as an undue advantage from CHAs for doing their routine official work,” said the official.

Case Registered Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Prevention of Corruption Act

The CBI has registered a case on charges of criminal conspiracy, bribing of public servant and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Prevention of Corruption Act.

Palghar, Maharashtra: The Tulinj Police have registered a case of cheating against a 40-year-old man for allegedly defrauding a medical shop aspirant of ₹35 lakh under the pretext of renting a space near a prominent multi-specialty hospital in Nalasopara (East).

The accused promised a medical shop near prominent hospital

According to the complaint filed by Pradeep Kaluram Chaudhary, 21, a medical shop operator, the accused, identified as Ranjit Kantaprasad Yadav, a resident of Haridwar Housing Society, Mahesh Park, Tulinj Road, took ₹40 lakh as a heavy security deposit from him in June 2022, promising to provide a shop space near the hospital.

According to the complaint filed by Pradeep Kaluram Chaudhary, a medical shop operator, the accused took ₹40 lakh as a heavy security deposit from him in June 2022, promising to provide a shop space near the hospital.

However, more than two years later, the promised medical shop has not been made operational, and the accused has returned only ₹5 lakh of the total deposit. The remaining ₹35 lakh remains unpaid despite repeated follow-ups, the complaint states.

The accused fails to fulfill the agreement

The alleged fraud took place near a well-known multi-specialty hospital in Nalasopara (East), where the complainant had hoped to set up the business. When the accused failed to fulfill the agreement and did not return the remaining amount, the victim approached the police.

Based on the findings of a preliminary inquiry, Tulinj Police registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on August 5, 2025, at 2:01 pm.

Probe Underway

Senior officers including Police Inspector Vijay Jadhav and Assistant Police Inspectors Manesh Sable and Govind Baste are overseeing the investigation.

The police have launched a probe to trace the remaining funds and verify if other victims may be involved.

In January 2020, just before the Covid-19 outbreak, Mumbai Central resident Anil Nagre wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging immediate attention to the state of civic and state-run hospitals in the city. He specifically highlighted the deteriorating condition of B Y L Nair Hospital in Mumbai Central, citing a chronic shortage of beds, ICU facilities and essential medicines.

The PM’s Office had reportedly directed the state government to look into the matter. However, five years on, Nagre says little has changed. Recounting a recent ordeal involving his father’s hospitalisation, he called the experience disheartening. “We saw how the healthcare system nearly collapsed during Covid,” he said. “But it seems like the authorities have learned little from the crisis.”

MRI Machine Defunct Since 2023

A recent visit to Nair Hospital revealed that its lone MRI machine, installed in 2009, has been non-functional since late 2023. The machine was declared end-of-life in early 2023 after repeated helium refills failed to keep it running.

Patients in need of urgent MRIs are now being sent to Sion Hospital or to private diagnostic centres under BMC-approved rates. One relative of a trauma patient said they had no choice but to opt for a private centre nearby due to the patient’s critical condition. The lack of an in-house MRI facility has caused treatment delays and added financial burdens for many.

Although a new 3T MRI machine has been sanctioned in the BMC budget, its installation has been delayed due to procurement hurdles. The delay is also affecting clinical training for radiology students.

Overburdened and Under-Resourced

Nair Hospital is one of Mumbai’s largest civic-run tertiary care hospitals, with approximately 1,652 beds. It caters to patients from across Mumbai, including suburbs like Thane, Palghar and Bhiwandi, and even from rural Maharashtra. Around 30% of its patients come from outside the city for affordable treatment.

Despite its importance, the hospital continues to struggle with outdated infrastructure and frequent equipment failures. With high patient inflow, several wards, including general medicine, surgery, orthopaedics and obstetrics, routinely exceed their capacity. It’s not uncommon for two or more patients to be accommodated on stretchers or even on the floor.

Basic Amenities Still a Challenge

Patients’ relatives raised concerns about lack of basic amenities. “Water is only available on the ground and seventh floors. If your patient is admitted elsewhere, you have to keep climbing up and down,” said caregiver Wasim Ansari.

He also mentioned that fans inside some lifts don’t work. “Lighting is another issue,” added Sumit Patil, who was attending to a relative. “Some parts of the building are dimly lit or completely dark at night. It feels unsafe.”

Hospital Response

Hospital dean Dr Shailesh Mohite stated that instances of patients sharing beds or being accommodated on the floor are not frequent. “This happens only when there is a sudden rush,” he said. A treating doctor added, “We can’t send patients back. If needed, we accommodate them somehow.”

Regarding the MRI issue, Dr Mohite said the BMC’s central purchase department is responsible for procurement. “We have already raised the demand,” he said.