The ‘Daroga’ of Gorakhpur Medical College: Student Stuck in First Year for 11 Years

Gorakhpur: In an unprecedented case at BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur, a student has turned his hostel room into a permanent home for the past 11 years—without advancing beyond the first year of MBBS. Shrikant Saroj, a resident of Azamgarh, secured admission in 2014 through the CPMT entrance under the SC quota. Since failing his first-year exams, he has neither appeared for subsequent exams nor left the hostel or returned home.

Father in Police, Student Known as ‘Daroga’
The student’s father serves as a police inspector (Daroga) in Uttar Pradesh, earning Shrikant the nickname “Daroga” among peers and even some professors. According to hostel authorities, he has repeatedly ignored offers to attend extra classes and continues to occupy his hostel room indefinitely.

Repeated Warnings Ignored
The hostel wardens have sent six letters to the college administration regarding his prolonged stay, but no concrete action has been taken so far. College officials describe this as the first such case in recent history.

Principal Speaks on Reservation Exploit
Dr. Ramkumar Jaiswal, principal of BRD Medical College, said multiple attempts were made to counsel Shrikant, including discussions with his father. “He is exploiting reservation rules to remain in the hostel,” the principal noted.

Violation of NMC Regulations
Under the National Medical Commission (NMC) regulations for undergraduate medical education, a student is allowed a maximum of four attempts to pass the first-year MBBS exam, which must be completed within four years. The entire MBBS course, including internship, must be finished within nine years. Students are also required to maintain 75% attendance in theory and 80% in practicals. Shrikant Saroj fails to meet these mandatory criteria. The college has confirmed that the NMC will be informed for appropriate action.

A Unique Case of Inertia
While the metro of medical education continues around him, Shrikant Saroj remains stuck in the same year he started—turning a hostel room into a decade-long residence and defying the rules that govern India’s medical education system.