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Allahabad High Court orders probe into Prayagraj MLN Medical College doctors' private practice
The Allahabad High Court directed the UP government to set up a high-level inquiry into all doctors at Moti Lal Nehru Medical College alleged to be engaging in private practice. The bench criticised private practice at the attached Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital and ordered action by the next hearing, while also directing monitoring of long-pending SRN Hospital construction and progress on land transfer to the college. An FIR related to private practice concerns was noted.
Why It Matters
This ruling targets private medical practice by college faculty, which the court says undermines public hospital services and governance. It could drive reforms in medical education administration and hospital oversight in Uttar Pradesh.
Timeline
3 Events
Next hearing and land-transfer matter to be placed before ministers
May 6, 2026
The bench noted that the next date of hearing would be May 26, 2026, and directed the chief secretary to intimate action by then. It also mentioned that the transfer of land measuring 31,314 square meters in favor of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College would be placed before the council of ministers for approval once department objections are cleared.
Allahabad High Court orders high-level inquiry into MLN Medical College doctors' private practice; monitors SRN Hospital construction; action by next hearing; land transfer and cabinet considerations
May 4, 2026
A bench of Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal directed the Uttar Pradesh government to set up a high-level inquiry against all doctors of Prayagraj's Moti Lal Nehru Medical College indulging in private practice. The court stated that Swaroop Rani Nehru Hospital's condition deteriorates due to private practice, not a lack of funds, noting professors and lecturers running private nursing homes and transferring patients to private setups. The chief secretary was directed to form the inquiry and report back by the next hearing on May 26. The court also ordered monitoring of 20-year-old ongoing construction at SRN Hospital and sought progress on land transfer to MLN Medical College; affidavits from MLN Principal Vinod Kumar Pandey and the Special Secretary of Medical Education were placed on record as part of the proceedings.
FIR lodged against MLN Medical College doctor and wife linked to Acura Hospital
April 29, 2026
An FIR was lodged on April 29 against Dr Santosh Kumar Singh, associate professor in the surgery department of Moti Lal Nehru Medical College, and his wife Elakshi Shukla, who is the director of Acura Hospital where her husband goes and performs surgery.