Patna: From forged caste certificates to allegations of harassment and questionable recruitment processes, Bihar’s premier medical institutions — AIIMS-Patna, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), and now the Bihar Medical University — are under intense scrutiny. At the center of this storm is Dr. Binde Kumar, who currently holds multiple powerful positions despite being linked to an ongoing CBI investigation involving his son.
CBI Case on Forged Appointments at AIIMS-Patna
The CBI’s anti-corruption branch has filed an FIR against Dr. Harsheet Raj, son of IGIMS director Dr. Binde Kumar, and Dr. Kumar Siddhartha, son of former AIIMS-Patna dean Dr. Prem Kumar. The agency alleges that both secured faculty posts using forged OBC non-creamy layer certificates. IPC Sections 420, 467, 468, and 471 have been invoked.
The case began with a December 2024 complaint from Danapur resident Satyendra Kumar, and a preliminary inquiry confirmed the charges. The CBI has sought certified service book copies for both senior doctors.
Harassment Complaint at IGIMS
IGIMS principal Dr. Ranjit Guha accused Dr. Kumar of harassment, unlawful administrative interference, and violating a February 28, 2024, Board of Governors resolution by appointing a “faculty in-charge” parallel to the principal’s position. He claims his office nameplate was removed, his room occupied, and that the ordeal left him depressed and suicidal.
Appointments Under Scanner
Despite these serious allegations, Dr. Kumar has been elevated further, having been recently appointed as the Chancellor of Bihar Medical University, a state-level body that oversees medical education across the state.
Dr. Kumar also chaired the Board of Experts that conducted interviews for 553 aspirants for assistant professor and equivalent posts at IGIMS, with candidates shortlisted from across India. The recruitment process concluded on August 11. Sources suggest potential irregularities in the selections, which were meant to be permanent appointments at one of Bihar’s most prestigious autonomous medical institutes.
Social activist Dr. Bir Bahadur Rai of Purnia has publicly questioned the propriety of allowing Dr. Kumar to head the state’s medical university while his son’s appointment remains under CBI investigation. Rai has demanded that the IGIMS interview results be scrapped and the selection process repeated with a new board excluding Dr. Kumar.
Political Stakes
The allegations land at a sensitive time for Bihar’s ruling establishment, with state assembly elections just months away. Health education governance is now a live political issue, and the government’s response to these charges will be closely watched.
Timeline of the Controversy
Dec 2024: Complaint filed alleging forged caste certificates in AIIMS-Patna appointments.
Early 2025: CBI preliminary inquiry confirms allegations.
Feb 28, 2024: IGIMS Board of Governors resolution passed (later violated).
Mid 2025: IGIMS principal alleges harassment and unlawful appointment.
Jul 4, 2025: Dr. Binde Kumar appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor of Bihar University of Health Sciences.
Aug 11, 2025: IGIMS assistant professor recruitment interviews conclude amid irregularity claims.
The Bigger Picture
From AIIMS-Patna to IGIMS and now the Bihar Medical University, the controversies point to a governance breakdown where due process appears optional and accountability is weak. Health experts warn that such episodes undermine both institutional credibility and public trust in Bihar’s medical education system.
