The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a major criminal investigation into a significant financial scandal at the prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. The agency has registered a First Information Report (FIR) concerning the alleged misappropriation of more than Rs 1.14 crore from the institute's Patient Welfare Grant. This fund was specifically designated to aid impoverished and critically ill patients in receiving necessary medical treatment.
Modus Operandi: Fake Bills and Forged Documents
According to the probe, the scam unfolded over several years, with funds being systematically siphoned off through a network of deceitful practices. Investigators have uncovered evidence of payments being fraudulently processed in the names of patients who were either already deceased or had never actually received treatment at PGIMER. The alleged methods included:
- Creation and submission of fabricated medical bills.
- Forgery of patient documents and medical records.
- Misuse of records belonging to patients who had been discharged.
- Authorizing payments to medicine vendors without valid supporting prescriptions or treatment details.
A senior CBI official confirmed the registration of the FIR and stated that a detailed criminal investigation is currently in progress to unravel the entire scheme.
Timeline: From RTI Revelation to CBI Probe
The scandal, which allegedly occurred between 2017 and 2021, first came to light in October 2022. It was brought into sharp focus following an RTI (Right to Information) application filed by Ashwani Kumar Munjal, president of the Joint Action Committee of Contractual Workers Unions. The documents obtained through RTI pointed towards large-scale manipulation of records within PGIMER's Private Grant Cell.
Subsequently, PGIMER formed an internal inquiry committee, which held its first meeting in October 2023. Notably, the committee's report indicated that several employees implicated in the allegations continued to work at the institute while the investigation was pending. By February of this year, fresh details emerged, solidifying the case for a systematic fraud involving over one crore rupees. Following these developments, PGIMER officially handed over the investigation to the CBI earlier this year.
Ongoing Investigation and Expected Actions
The CBI has now launched a comprehensive criminal investigation to identify all individuals and entities involved in the scam. The scope of the probe includes examining the roles of PGIMER officials, staff members, and private vendors. As the investigation advances, further actions such as arrests and efforts to recover the misappropriated funds are anticipated. The case highlights a grave breach of trust, where funds meant for society's most vulnerable were allegedly diverted for personal gain.
