Delhi Govt Doctor Skipped Duty for Three Years, Drew Salary While Pursuing Filmmaking in Canada
In a case that has shocked India’s medical fraternity and raised urgent questions about accountability in public institutions, a senior Delhi government doctor allegedly remained absent from her post for nearly three years while continuing to draw her salary. During this time, she was reportedly living in Canada and pursuing a career in filmmaking. The Union Health Ministry has now issued a show-cause notice and initiated disciplinary action.
The Case of Dr. Manju Subberwal
Dr. Manju Subberwal, who until recently headed the Department of Biochemistry at GB Pant Hospital, one of Delhi’s premier government-run institutions, has come under scrutiny after it was discovered that she had not attended work for approximately three years. Despite her absence, she allegedly continued to draw her monthly salary and allowances, resulting in an estimated financial loss of ₹50 lakh to the exchequer.
Investigations revealed that Dr. Subberwal had relocated to Canada in 2022, where she enrolled in a filmmaking course. Social media accounts and professional listings reportedly showed her promoting herself as a filmmaker during this period.
The Complaint and Ministry Action
The matter came to light in May 2025 when a complaint was filed by an employee at the Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (GIPMER), which is attached to the hospital. The complaint alleged that not only had Dr. Subberwal been absent, but official paperwork in her name had been processed by another faculty member without authorization.
In response, the Union Health Ministry issued a show-cause notice asking why her absence should not be treated as a “break in service” and why the salary drawn during this period should not be recovered. The ministry also directed the hospital to prepare a detailed chargesheet. Dr. Subberwal has since been removed from her position as head of the department, and her salary has been withheld pending further inquiry.
Leave Norms and Violations
As a member of the Central Health Service (CHS), Dr. Subberwal was entitled to a limited set of leave benefits:
- 10 days of earned leave annually
- 10 days of casual leave
- 30 days of teaching leave (split into two terms)
Additionally, a maximum of 36 months of study leave may be granted for higher studies or professional development, provided the applicant signs a bond agreeing to serve the government for at least five years upon return. However, this leave requires prior sanction and cannot be availed without official approval.
Reports suggest that Dr. Subberwal neither sought nor obtained proper sanction for her extended absence, raising questions of deliberate misconduct and violation of service rules.
Wider Implications
This case has sparked anger within both the medical community and the public, highlighting systemic weaknesses in monitoring government employees. Critics argue that such prolonged unauthorized absences point to lapses in administrative oversight and a failure to enforce accountability.
Government doctors, already in short supply in India, are considered vital public servants. Instances like this not only drain taxpayer resources but also erode public trust in healthcare governance.
Moreover, the allegations that another faculty member may have signed official documents on her behalf further raise concerns of complicity and procedural irregularities within the hospital administration.
What Lies Ahead
The Union Health Ministry is expected to pursue recovery of the salary paid during the period of absence, in addition to taking disciplinary action that may include termination, pension cuts, or even legal proceedings. If proven guilty, Dr. Subberwal could face severe consequences under service conduct rules.
The case may also prompt a broader review of leave monitoring systems, digital attendance tracking, and accountability mechanisms in government hospitals.
The story of a Delhi doctor drawing a government salary while building a filmmaking career in Canada is more than an individual case of misconduct—it is a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform in public administration. For a nation where citizens depend heavily on overstretched public hospitals, such episodes underline the importance of vigilance, transparency, and accountability in ensuring that taxpayer money serves the people, not personal ambitions.
About The Author
