LUCKNOW, June 2 -- A five-member King George's Medical University (KGMU) inquiry committee has recommended registration of an FIR against four employees, including a permanent pharmacist and three contractual staff at the department of urology, for their alleged involvement in a drug scam under the Asadhya Yojana, officials said on Monday. The committee found that costly medicines meant for poor patients suffering from serious ailments, including cancer and kidney diseases, were allegedly procured in the names of 'ghost patients' and diverted for sale in the open market. Investigations into the disposal and sale of the medicines are still underway. "The committee submitted its interim report to KGMU vice chancellor Sonia Nityanand on Monday. FIRs are expected to be lodged on Tuesday," said Prof KK Singh, spokesperson for KGMU. The alleged irregularities came to light after university authorities noticed an unusual spike in medicine procurement under the Asadhya Yojana. While the department had been purchasing medicines worth around Rs.10 lakh per month last year, expenditure increased sharply at the beginning of 2026. In a single month, procurement reportedly touched nearly Rs.45 lakh, raising suspicions within the administration. Following preliminary findings, the vice-chancellor constituted a five-member inquiry committee headed by Prof Singh. After examining patient records, prescriptions and procurement documents, the panel uncovered multiple irregularities and recommended criminal proceedings against the accused. Officials said further investigations are underway to ascertain the full extent of the scam and identify those responsible for the alleged diversion of medicines purchased under the government-funded scheme....