comScore Khyati Scam: Cops Seek CA Assistance in Probing Over Rs 16 Cr PM-JAY Fraud

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Vibes Of India
Vibes Of India

Khyati Scam: Cops Seek CA Assistance in Probing Over Rs 16 Cr PM-JAY Fraud

| Updated: January 20, 2025 13:32

Officials are intensifying their investigation into Kartik Patel, the director of Khyati Multispecialty Hospital, who was arrested on Saturday at Ahmedabad Airport after arriving from Dubai. Patel is the prime accused in a Rs 16.64 crore fraud involving the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme. Patel’s arrest follows 65 days on the run, during which he reportedly stayed in New Zealand, Australia, and Dubai.

The city crime branch has launched a comprehensive probe into Patel’s financial transactions, focusing on how and where he invested the funds obtained fraudulently under the PM-JAY scheme. 

Sources disclosed that Patel’s interrogation requires the assistance of a chartered accountant due to the complexity of the financial transactions involved. Preliminary findings reveal that between January 1, 2021 and October 28, 2024, Khyati Hospital treated 8,534 patients, including 3,842 under government schemes. Of these, 112 patients died during treatment.

Audit reports and bank statements indicate significant financial irregularities, with heavy fund withdrawals by the hospital’s directors.

Crime branch officials stated that 5,637 patients were examined across 69 medical camps conducted in rural areas of Gujarat over the past three years. The hospital, they claim, was established to exploit government funds and patient data for financial gain.

Patel, 60, a resident of Bopal area of the city, is said to have close ties with a North Gujarat politician. He was in Australia when two PM-JAY beneficiaries, Mahesh Barot, 52, and Nagar Moti Senma, 75, died on November 11 last year following unnecessary angioplasty procedures at Khyati Hospital. These deaths brought the fraudulent activities to light, leading to a police investigation.

The investigation uncovered widespread misuse of the PM-JAY scheme, resulting in the filing of three FIRs on November 13. Charges against Patel include culpable homicide, attempt at culpable homicide, and defrauding the PM-JAY scheme to generate illicit financial gains. 

Patel fled India before the FIRs were filed, spending Rs 50 lakh on accommodation while moving between hotels in Dubai. A Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against him and other accused individuals. Upon exhausting all legal options, Patel surrendered to the crime branch. 

He was remanded to police custody by the Ahmedabad Rural Court until January 28. The prosecution argued that his remand was necessary to investigate financial transactions, identify individuals who aided his escape abroad, and uncover potential collusion with government officials. 

Patel’s lawyer opposed the remand, emphasising the need for evidence-based proceedings. However, the court approved the prosecution’s request.

Other Co-Accused

Patel is the ninth individual arrested in the case. Other arrests include hospital directors Rajshree Pradeep Kothari and Dr Sanjay Mulji Patolia, CEO Rahul Jain, and cardiologist Dr Prashant Vazirani, who performed the contentious surgeries. 

Investigators also suspect forgery of PM-JAY beneficiary cards in collaboration with health department officials and private contractors.

Crime branch sources noted that Patel appeared composed during his custody and cooperated with the investigation. All 33 of his bank accounts are under forensic scrutiny, and officials are working to trace the full extent of the financial fraud.

Also Read: PM-JAY Fraud: Khyati Hospital Chairman Sent to 10-Day Police Custody 

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