Puducherry Doctor Arrested for Major Fraud Case Involving Nurse
In a significant development in Puducherry, local police have taken into custody a doctor employed at the prestigious Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Postgraduate Institute. The arrest follows serious allegations of financial fraud and deception targeting an auxiliary nurse midwife (ANM) working at a government primary health centre located in Ariankuppam.
Details of the Alleged Scam
The accused medical professional has been identified as Dr Jawahar Kennedy. According to the official complaint filed by the victim, A Jacqueline Aroakia Selvi, aged 48, the fraudulent activities spanned over a year. The case revolves around a promised property transaction that never materialized.
Selvi stated in her complaint that Dr Kennedy had assured her he would sell his plot situated within the town limits. Trusting this promise, she transferred a staggering sum of Rs 1 crore online in three separate instalments during July 2024. These funds were directed to the bank account of the doctor's wife, Suganthi Onorine Marcelline.
Additional Gold Jewellery Theft
Beyond the substantial monetary loss, the complaint reveals another layer to this distressing case. In July 2023, Dr Kennedy allegedly received six sovereigns of gold jewellery from Selvi. Despite repeated requests and visits, he failed to return these valuable items, compounding the victim's financial and emotional distress.
Selvi, accompanied by her husband Sagayalourdusamy, made multiple visits to both Dr Kennedy's residence and his private clinic. Their objective was straightforward: to secure the return of their Rs 1 crore and the gold jewellery. However, these efforts proved futile and culminated in a particularly unpleasant encounter.
Escalation and Police Action
During what Selvi describes as their final visit, the situation deteriorated significantly. She alleges that Dr Kennedy subjected her to verbal abuse and harassment. This incident prompted her to formally approach the Ariankuppam police station and lodge an official complaint.
Acting swiftly on her complaint, the police registered a case against Dr Kennedy. He has been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 79: Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
- Section 318 (2): Cheating.
- Section 351 (2): Criminal intimidation.
Following his arrest, Dr Jawahar Kennedy was presented before a judicial magistrate. The court has subsequently remanded him to judicial custody, marking a serious legal development in this case of alleged betrayal of trust within the healthcare community.
This incident has sent shockwaves through the local medical fraternity in Puducherry, raising questions about professional ethics and the vulnerability of individuals to scams, even from those in trusted positions.
