PGI Chandigarh scandal: Fake claims & bills paid even after patients' demise

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) : A major scam of government money meant for poor patients has come to light in the private grant cell of PGIMER Chandigarh. CBI ACB Chandigarh has registered a regular case on the charge of embezzlement of an amount of about Rs 1.14 crore. Around 9 accused including retired administrative assistant Dharam Chand and five unskilled employees have been named in it. According to CBI, between the years 2020 to 2024, some officials and contract employees of PGI in connivance with private individuals and pharmaceutical firms committed the fraud.

The investigation revealed that patient files were deleted, money was transferred to personal accounts using fake dependents, and medication bills were approved even after death. The case involves former and current PGI employees, a photocopy shop owner, and several drug suppliers. The CBI has registered a case under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act and has initiated an investigation. The scam came to light when the husband of beneficiary patient Kamlesh Devi (file number 18796) went to the Private Grant Cell to collect medication from the approved grant of ₹2.5 lakh. He was told that the file had been destroyed and the digital records deleted. The investigation revealed that ₹22,01,839 had been transferred via RTGS to the account of a private individual named Nivas Yadav, who had no connection to the patient.

Following this, the PGI administration conducted a detailed investigation, which revealed more cases. Another patient, Arvind Kumar (file number 20404), had ₹90,000 from the grant amount transferred to the account of hospital attendant Neha.