After Desai,MCI Secy suspended

After Dr Ketan Desai,the former president of the Medical Council of India MCI,it is MCI secretary Lt Col retd Dr A R N Shetalvad who is under the scanner.

After Dr Ketan Desai,the former president of the Medical Council of India MCI,it is MCI secretary Lt Col retd Dr A R N Shetalvad who is under the scanner. The newly constituted Board of Governors of MCI on Tuesday placed him under suspension.

Shetalvad,who was to retire on Tuesday,got a letter dated August 30 personally delivered to him early in the morning on the day,citing that he has been suspended with immediate effect.

The letter from the joint secretary of the Council states: I am directed to inform you the decision of Board of Governors to place you under suspension and initiate departmental proceedings against you with immediate effect.

Confirming the news,Dr Shetalvad told The Indian Express: I got the

letter of suspension on Tuesday. I have not spoken to anybody in the Health ministry or the MCI as of now,but would see what could be done.

Sources in the Union Health Ministry said that the MCI would now file a chargesheet within three months after which an inquiry will be initiated against Shetalvad.

The MCI would soon advertise for a new secretary too.

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Shetalvad joined as secretary,MCI,in 2003,prior to which he was associated with medical colleges in Gujarat as a medical teacher of preventive medicine. He then went to become a junior lecturer and dean of colleges in Gujarat. In 2002,he joined the MCI as a full-time inspector and was elevated to the post of secretary in 2003.

Sources said that Shetalvad was suspended largely for his association with former MCI president Dr Desai,which dates back to the 90s when Shetalvad was in Gujarat. Soon after Dr Desai was caught earlier this year by the CBI for allegedly accepting a Rs 2 crore bribe for granting permission to a private medical college,the investigative agency started questioning Shetalvad as well. Following this,Shetalvad went on an indefinite leave from May 25.

Shetalvad has been alleged to have extended favours to medical colleges seeking permission for renewal for admission along with Desai. Even the CBI team has been investigating the colleges,which were given permission to function during the tenure of the duo, sources said.