Controversial Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College is at the center of a ₹140+ crore NEET counselling scam involving cyber fraud, fee extortion, and regulatory inaction. Despite clear evidence, DGHS Sunita Sharma has failed to suspend the college, raising concerns of political protection, regulatory collusion, and compromised integrity in India’s medical admissions system.
Despite over 36 months of documented cyber fraud, data manipulation, and fee extortion, controversial Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College in Pune remains active on the NEET UG/PG 2025 MCC counselling portal. At the centre of this scandal is a calculated violation of MCC Clause 12.4, which mandates the blacklisting of institutions submitting false data.
Over 2,000 students are believed to have paid upwards of ₹32 lakh each in unofficial fees—nearly six times the NMC-prescribed cap of ₹5.5 lakh annually. Official complaints, including Cybercrime FIR No. 22107250020718, have failed to move the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) or the Ministry of Health.
The silence from key regulatory authorities such as DGHS Sunita Sharma and DDG (ME) B. Srinivas has raised one critical question: Is regulatory oversight being hijacked by institutional lobbying and political pressure?
Regulatory Paralysis or Complicity? DGHS Faces Heat
Sunita Sharma, who holds dual regulatory command as DGHS and President of the Dental Council of India, is now under the scanner for her prolonged inaction. As per MCC and DGHS rules, the presence of falsified fee data automatically warrants blacklisting and inquiry. Yet, Sharma has taken no such action.
This has triggered widespread concern among education activists and former legal officials. A retired Supreme Court judge has termed this regulatory paralysis as “high-level enablement of NEET counselling fraud.”
Critics argue that Sunita Sharma’s dual role presents an inherent conflict of interest. As President of DCI, she oversees private institutions similar to D.Y. Patil, casting doubt on her neutrality and intentions.
Unanswered Questions: What Is Protecting D.Y. Patil College?
1. Why was MCC Clause 12.4 not invoked despite concrete cyber fraud evidence?
2. Why was no disciplinary action initiated after FIR No.
22107250020718 was filed in 2025.
3. Is there tacit political or institutional pressure shielding the college from suspension or audit?
These unanswered questions point towards either administrative indifference or deliberate suppression—both equally dangerous in a system meant to uphold merit and transparency.
D.Y. Patil Medical College: A History of Controversies
This is not the first time Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College has made headlines for questionable practices.
•2014–2018: Multiple RTIs revealed discrepancies in the MBBS fee structure.
•2020: The institution was accused of manipulating NRI quota admissions.
•2022: A cybercrime complaint was registered over extortion through MCC counselling, which was never followed up.
•2023: The college was listed in a PIL regarding NEET counselling seat-blocking scams.
Despite repeated interventions from the judiciary and NMC advisory warnings, the institution continues to operate without visible consequences—an anomaly in a regulatory system designed to enforce checks and balances.
MCC and IT Law Violations: Legal Charges Loom
Failure to suspend the college and investigate fee fraud may soon invite criminal charges under:
•IT Act Sections 43, 66, 70: Cyber data manipulation and breach
•IPC Section 409, CrPC 120B: Criminal breach of trust and conspiracy
•CCS Conduct Rules, Rule 3(1)(iii): Violation of neutrality and official integrity
•Contempt of Court: For ignoring the Supreme Court precedent in Shreya Singhal v. Union of India
Unless immediate corrective action is taken by July 23, 2025, DGHS Sunita Sharma may be seen not as a neutral regulator but as a co-conspirator in one of India’s biggest education scams.
Regulatory Capture or Political Patronage?
The D.Y. Patil Education Trust enjoys deep-rooted political connections, both in Maharashtra and New Delhi. With powerful patrons allegedly offering cover, the institution has, so far, dodged scrutiny that has brought down others for lesser violations.
From hosting political events to allegedly influencing policy through retired bureaucrats on advisory boards, the Trust’s clout appears to have shaped regulatory decisions—or the lack thereof.
Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) has confirmed through verified sources that multiple officials in the Ministry of Health were either transferred or silenced after raising objections to MCC seat-blocking and fee malpractice by the college.
Sprouts SIT Demands Transparency, Action, and Accountability
The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) now calls on the Government of India to:
•Immediately suspend Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College from the MCC counselling portal.
•Initiate a cyber-forensic audit of fee structure disclosures and NMC submissions.
•Mandate public disclosure of all communications between DGHS and D.Y. Patil authorities over the last 36 months.
National Deadline Nears: July 23, 2025 – 10:00 AM
If DGHS Sunita Sharma fails to act by this deadline, it will confirm what thousands of NEET aspirants fear: that the system is rigged against merit, truth, and justice.
This isn’t just a college controversy—it’s a full-blown national integrity crisis.
Join the Fight Against Admission Fraud
Students, parents, whistleblowers, and members of the medical community are urged to submit documents, audio records, or screenshots to:
justice4mccfraud@protonmail.com
Public support can force public accountability. Share this investigation. Raise your voice. Demand clean, fair, and fraud-free medical education.
Unmesh Gujarathi is an Indian investigative journalist and media professional with over 28 years of experience in print and digital journalism. He is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sprouts News, an independent investigative publication headquartered in Mumbai, established in 2020.
Throughout his career, he has held editorial positions at leading media organisations, including:
DNA (Daily News & Analysis)
The Times Group
The Free Press Journal
Saamana
Dabang Dunia
Lokmat
His reporting has focused on investigative journalism, governance accountability, public policy, corruption, crime reporting and the Right to Information (RTI) framework in India.
As Editor-in-Chief of Sprouts News, he oversees:
Investigative direction
Editorial standards and verification protocols
Legal compliance and ethical review
Newsroom operations and accountability processes
Education & Academic Background
Unmesh Gujarathi holds:
Master of Commerce (M.Com)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Degree in Journalism
His academic background supports his reporting in areas related to governance, financial systems, public administration and regulatory matters.
Published Works & Contributions
In addition to newsroom leadership, he is the author of more than 12 books in Marathi and English. His published works cover topics including:
The RTI Act and transparency mechanisms
Political leadership, including writings on Balasaheb Thackeray
Career guidance
Investigative journalism practices
He has contributed to national dailies and digital media platforms, focusing on evidence-based reporting and public-interest journalism.