UP News: KGMU Dismisses Dr. A.K. Sachan Days Before Retirement Over Private Practice, Fake Medicine Allegations
In an unprecedented move, Dr. Amod Kumar Sachan of KGMU has been dismissed from service for engaging in private practice, just three days before his scheduled retirement on July 15. This marks the first instance in Lucknow where a doctor has been terminated specifically on private practice charges.
For approximately a year and a half, Dr. Sachan was under investigation for private practice, profiting from private institutions, and holding positions on the boards of directors of various organizations. Adding to the gravity of the situation, his own wife had filed a complaint against him, alleging his involvement in the illicit trade of counterfeit medicines. The decision for his dismissal was finalized during a KGMU Executive Council meeting held on Saturday. Dr. Sachan has vehemently denied the allegations, labeling the action as "malicious."
The Executive Council meeting, chaired by VC Dr. Sonia Nityanand, proceeded despite the absence of Registrar Archana Gaharwar, with Deputy Registrar Dr. Sandeep Bhattacharya attending in her stead. Dr. Sachan's case, including the private practice accusations, was presented, and the council found his responses unsatisfactory.
The dismissal is followed by a series of rapid executive council meetings. An emergency meeting on July 4 decided to issue him a 180-page notice, demanding a response within six days. When he requested additional time, another emergency meeting on July 10 denied his request.
This action stands in stark contrast to previous instances at KGMU where similar allegations of private practice against other doctors, even those with video evidence and complaints from MLAs, did not result in disciplinary action.
Even under Dr. Sonia Nityanand's tenure as VC, oaths against private practice and a prominent case in 2023 involving a department head whose private practice was exposed after a patient's death, no dismissals occurred.
Dr. A.K. Sachan, expressing his dismay, stated, "This action, taken just three days before my retirement, is false and malicious, intended solely to tarnish my reputation and personal and professional dignity. It is driven by malicious intent to defame and mentally harass me." He emphasized his 23 years of dedicated service to KGMU, highlighting his contributions as Head of the Pharmacology Department, where he initiated various innovative programs.
KGMU spokesperson Dr. K.K. Singh confirmed that the investigation into Dr. Sachan's private practice and other matters had been ongoing for about three years, prompted partly by a court order. He reiterated that this is the first time KGMU has taken such stringent action for private practice.
In a separate development, Dr. Sachan's wife, Richa Mishra, had filed a police complaint against him on May 2 of the previous year, accusing him of dealing in fake medicines with associates. This led to scrutiny from the ED and the government, prompting KGMU's internal investigation. The final notice was issued in the first week of July, culminating in his dismissal.
In 2013, an income tax raid on his and his trust's premises uncovered crores in undeclared income and recovered ₹1.76 crore in cash. Dr. Sachan admitted to ₹8 crore in undeclared income, and investigations revealed multiple undisclosed bank accounts. The case subsequently reached the High Court. On February 6, 2025, the High Court seriously viewed Dr. Sachan's operation of medical, nursing, and pharma colleges despite being a government employee, directing the state government, medical education department, and KGMU to take action. The ED also took suo motu cognizance and began a confidential investigation into Dr. Sachan's assets.
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