Gujarat : PCI Chief Montu Patel Accused of Massive Pharmacy Council Scam

Ahmedabad, Gujarat – The noose is tightening around Montu Patel, the embattled chairman of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) intensifies its probe into a sprawling web of alleged corruption, bribery, and forgery. After conducting late-night raids at his offices in Delhi and residences in Ahmedabad, the CBI has reportedly seized crucial documents that could expose deeper rot within India’s pharmacy education system.

The spotlight has now shifted to Patel following damning revelations made by whistleblower Rajesh Patel, former secretary of the Gujarat Pharmacy Association and convener of the Pharmacy Hetarakshak Samiti, who accused Montu Patel of manipulating elections, bribing officials, and exploiting regulatory powers to extort massive sums from pharmacy colleges across the country.

Election Rigging with Crores in Bribes

Rajesh Patel claims Montu Patel used bribes ranging from ₹5 lakh to ₹25 lakh to secure votes from state council members in his bid to become PCI Chairman. “He booked luxury hotels in Delhi, paid crores in cash to members, and manipulated the voting system,” said Rajesh. “It’s another Ketan Desai-style scam, like what we saw with the Medical Council of India.”

He further alleged that after losing the Gujarat State Pharmacy Council election, Montu illegally used a Diu-Daman Pharmacy Council membership to re-enter the fray, raising serious questions about regulatory loopholes.

Links to IELTS Scam and Money Laundering

Rajesh Patel dropped another bombshell, alleging that Montu Patel was involved in the infamous Mehsana IELTS scam. “His wife, Khushbu Vora, even appeared in the IELTS exam impersonating others. They took ₹30 lakh from each candidate and made ₹300 crore,” he claimed.

The money, Patel alleges, was used to buy the favor of PCI members and laundered via businesses like a Chandkheda-based bicycle dealership. “Montu even donated ₹5 crore to Sardar Dham and his name is proudly displayed as a donor. That’s not charity—it’s laundering,” he said.

Shocking Land Deals and Unchecked Wealth

In just 18 months as PCI chairman, Rajesh alleges that Montu Patel amassed staggering assets: “He owns 30 bighas in Chiloda, multiple plots on Mahudi Road, and has bungalows in Ahmedabad. He’s also partnered with private hospital owners and shifted assets to his in-laws’ names.”

Despite submitting all documentation, including 7/12 extracts, to the ACB a year ago, no action was taken. “They brushed it off saying it was a Delhi matter,” he lamented.

‘College Approvals for Cash’: A Nationwide Racket

According to Rajesh Patel, Montu Patel turned PCI into a personal profit machine. “He set prices for college approvals—₹15 lakh for a new degree college, ₹8 lakh for diploma, and ₹5 lakh for renewals. Members acted like agents, collecting money and routing it via courier services like Vaishnodevi’s Angadiya to Delhi or Ahmedabad,” he claimed.

He pointed out that 12 new colleges were approved in Gujarat this year alone—none with proper infrastructure. “No staff, no labs, no library, yet all got the green light. That’s the cost of corruption,” said Patel.

Even reputable colleges allegedly faced cancellation threats unless they paid up. “What about students in their final year? It’s academic blackmail,” he said.

Suppression of Complaints, Ministerial Nexus

Rajesh revealed a darker nexus—alleging that even complaints to the Health Ministry ended up with Montu. “He was the final stop. Letters to the Prime Minister or Health Minister would just be forwarded back to him. Everything was covered up for a year,” he said.

College owners across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh reportedly fell victim to the same extortion racket. “Even colleges linked to local ministers weren’t spared,” Rajesh claimed.

Political Backing Across Party Lines

Shockingly, Rajesh also alleged bipartisan political protection. “Congress and BJP leaders are both linked to Montu Patel. Everyone has colleges to protect. That’s why no action was taken for so long,” he said.

The CBI’s recent raids, however, have broken the silence. Alongside the PCI’s Delhi office, Montu’s farmhouse in Zhundal, Ahmedabad was also searched. With financial trails, impersonation evidence, and college corruption piling up, investigators are now zeroing in on a case that could rival the most high-profile educational scams in India’s history.