The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has detained Kartik Patel, the main accused in the Khyati Multispeciality Hospital fraud case, in the early hours of Saturday at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA), police confirmed.
Patel is alleged to have played a central role in a significant medical malpractice and fraud scheme involving the misuse of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
The controversy first came to light after two patients died following allegedly unwarranted angioplasty procedures conducted under the PM-JAY scheme at Khyati Hospital.
Investigations revealed that Patel had been evading authorities by moving between countries for an extended period. His attempt to secure bail was denied by the court, forcing his eventual return to India.
Ayushman card scandal
A few days ago, the city Crime Branch uncovered a multi-crore Ayushman Bharat card fraud linked to Khyati Hospital, resulting in the arrest of eight individuals.
Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) Sharad Singhal said that Mehul Patel, who managed the hospital’s PM-JAY portal, was deeply involved in the fraudulent activities.
Singhal explained that patients without PM-JAY cards were referred to Chirag Rajput or Kartik Patel, who would contact an individual named Nimish to facilitate the creation of the necessary cards.
“Kartik Patel has a 51% stake in Khyati Hospital,” Singhal revealed.
Nimish would charge Rs 1,500 to produce a PM-JAY card, which would then be sent to Mehul Patel. The hospital would use the cards to conduct surgeries and claim funds under the government scheme.
The investigation also revealed that Khyati Hospital organised camps where patients who lacked PM-JAY cards were offered the opportunity to obtain one on-site.
“Through sources, we learned that Khyati Hospital set up camps where patients without PM-JAY cards could make one at the hospital,” Singhal said.
Authorities continue to investigate the full extent of the fraudulent scheme.
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