Attempt to manipulate dope test for arms licence

Tribune News Service

Mohali, August 5

The Health Department has launched a probe into the alleged manipulation of dope test reports for arms licence by a nexus involving agents and certain employees. The role of some department officials is under the scanner, said sources.

After the suspects approached doctors several times, the department officials informed the district administration, following which a probe was ordered. The report will be submitted to the authorities concerned in a week by Mohali SMO HS Cheema.

The Mohali Civil Surgeon, Dr Adarshpal Kaur, said, “A few persons, who are not department employees, have been summoned for Monday for further inquiry. It is not known for how long this illegal practice had been going on.”

Sources said the arms licence applicants, who have to undergo the mandatory dope test, the report of which is forwarded to the district administration, were “told by certain persons in the hospital that their application would be rejected if they failed the test. They offered to get the report cleared by charging Rs 10,000”.

Since the process of getting an arms licence is cumbersome, the applicants feared getting trapped in the procedure, said the sources.

The Health Department officials smelt a rat when a person repeatedly approached a doctor for a favourable report and was later found to be in touch with the applicant.

76 got it renewed on fake report in past

As many as 76 persons got their arms licences renewed based on “fake” dope test reports in Muktsar between June and December last year. This came to light with the busting of a racket by the district administration following a probe. No record of these certificates was found at the Civil Hospital. A lab technician, TB treatment supervisor and a private typist were booked and later dismissed from service.

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