Police in Birsa, in Madhya Pradesh's Balaghat district, have registered a case against Sunil Kumar Singh, a former Block Medical Officer (BMO), who is accused of holding a government doctor's post for about 15 years on the strength of another person's MBBS degree. The case was reported on 11 October by Amar Ujala and ETV Bharat.

What the inquiry found

According to the reports, the health department became aware that two government doctors carried what appeared to be identical academic records, including the same MBBS degree number, name details, date of birth and college. A state-level inquiry committee examined the files and concluded that the degree held by the doctor posted in Dewas district was genuine, while the documents submitted by the Balaghat officer were forged.

Amar Ujala reported that the inquiry also found the accused had given different home districts at different times and that the department held only a provisional registration in his name, with no record of permanent registration.

Birsa police registered the FIR under sections 318(4), 340(2) and 336(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which relate to cheating, and to forgery and the use of forged documents. The station in-charge told ETV Bharat that the case was based on the record review, which found that government service had been obtained using forged documents.

Career and current status

District Chief Medical and Health Officer Shatrughan Dahiya told Amar Ujala that the accused joined as a contract doctor in 2009, was regularised in 2012, was given charge as BMO in 2020 and was later promoted to a Class One post. ETV Bharat gave 2008 as his starting year. He was moved from Birsa in June 2026 after the matter surfaced, did not appear when summoned to Bhopal during the inquiry, and has not reported for duty since going on leave in July, according to Amar Ujala. Police said they were searching for him.

ETV Bharat reported that the department is also examining how the alleged fraud went undetected for so long. Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar publicly questioned who would be held accountable beyond the FIR. The accused's response to the allegations has not been reported.

Why registration checks matter

The case shows how a copied degree can survive years of service when hiring relies on paper records. Employers of doctors can check a practitioner's registration on the National Medical Commission's Indian Medical Register and with the relevant state medical council, and can seek direct confirmation of a degree from the issuing university rather than relying on photocopies.

Sources

This News Desk report summarises information published by the sources above, written in our own words. Persons named in criminal matters are accused, not convicted, unless a court has ruled otherwise. To report an error, use our contact page.

Madhya PradeshFake MBBSGovernment DoctorsFIRHealth Department

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