source - Press Release
Chandigarh, August 4, 2024 – The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has arrested two more individuals for irregularities in nursing admissions and exams. The accused are Aruna Chhabra, former principal of K.D. College of Nursing Mahilpur, and Dr. Kuldeep Singh Mehrok, owner of Mehrok College of Nursing and Medical Sciences.
These arrests are part of a broader investigation into fraudulent activities involving officials and employees of the Punjab Nursing Registration Council (PNRC), Mohali. Previously, Charanjit Kaur Cheema, former registrar of PNRC, and Dr. Arvinderveer Singh Gill were also taken into custody.
An official spokesperson from the Vigilance Bureau said the investigation uncovered significant irregularities. PNRC officials had fabricated records and tampered with documents to conduct exams without necessary admission forms or fees.
also read : Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann Extends Support to Indian Hockey Team Captain
K.D. College of Nursing, Mahilpur, received recognition from the Indian Nursing Council on September 25, 2019, and from PNRC on November 29, 2012. However, admission forms and receipt numbers were issued by PNRC before these recognitions. Forms related to five roll numbers from K.D. College of Nursing were issued to Princeton Institute of Nursing, Gurdaspur. This discrepancy was found in records dating back to October 2012, before the college’s official recognition.
Additionally, PNRC had uploaded an admission list of 27 students from G.R.D. International Institute of Nursing, Tanda Urmur, Hoshiarpur. A revised list included 30 students, with two roll numbers routed through K.D. College of Nursing, Mahilpur.
Dr. Kuldeep Singh Mehrok and Dr. Arvinderveer Singh Gill provided details of 15 students from K.D. College of Nursing Mahilpur for a two-year ANM course, with fees fixed at Rs 40,000 per student. These admissions were verified by Aruna Chhabra but were not uploaded on the PNRC website. Roll numbers were issued without the requisite examination fees, and the results were manipulated, showing only roll numbers without proper student details.
Charanjit Kaur Cheema, with Dr. Arvinderveer Singh Gill, finalized these results after obtaining affidavits from students and re-verifying documents through Aruna Chhabra. The results were signed by a data entry operator, not official PNRC staff.
The investigation revealed fraudulent activities were carried out with privately managed nursing colleges. A thorough probe confirmed the allegations, leading to case No. 16 dated 02.08.2024 under various sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act at the VB Police Station, Jalandhar range.
Both accused will be presented in court tomorrow, and further investigation is ongoing.
