Mangaluru: Eight practicing doctors on Thursday accused a Mangaluru-based agent of duping them of over Rs 4.6 crores, with a false promise of providing Post-Graduate (PG) medical seats in the city.

Dr. Arun Kumar of Tamil Nadu, a 2009 MBBS graduate told reporters here that he approached one Sangeeth Kumar Jha, a businessman in 2012, who promised him a medical seat. “Later, I realized that it was not me alone but there were many more graduates who were fooled. We are eight now and believe  Mr. Jha has deceived many”, he told the media.

“We eight graduates paid over Rs. 4.6 crore to him by cheque. We have a proof. Although, we have complained to the police about the case way back in 2013, the cops are yet to find him. We do not want others to get cheated, hence we approached the media with his photo”, another doctor Mohammed Azharuddin said.

The colleges block the management seats which are booked by agents. Hence, it’s a common practice to approach these middlemen for a medical seat. Mr. Jha was in the business since 2010 and we suspect that he has deceived many, he adds.

Dr Arun Kumar said he paid Rs. 61 lakh in cash as he was promised an MD/MS seat in Mangaluru. Similarly, Dr Vranesh paid Jha Rs 90 lac in three installments. Dr Azharuddin and his wife too paid Rs. 61 lakh and Rs 68 lakh each for the seats, and both were duped, they said. Three out of the eight doctors were present.

The doctors also alleged that Jha is enjoying strong political support.

(Sangeeth Kumar Jha in the picture)