Ahmedabad Crime Branch Probes PM-JAY Scam

Ahmedabad : The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has intensified its investigation into the alleged PM-JAY scam at Khyati Hospital after two patients tragically died following angioplasty procedures. This development follows the arrest of one of the key accused, Dr. Prashant Vazirani, last week.

In a major crackdown, six crime branch teams conducted extensive raids targeting the offices of three hospital directors—Kartik Patel, Dr. Sanjay Patoliya, and Rajshri Kothari—as well as the hospital’s CEO, Chirag Rajput. During these operations, officials seized critical evidence, including 20 files, six registers, operation theatre records, four pen drives, a CPU, and other digital documents, to unravel the extent of the alleged scam.

Meanwhile, Vastrapur Police Station’s Personal Security Officer, Lal Singh, faced suspension after it was revealed that Dr. Vazirani’s wife was allowed to provide home-cooked meals to the accused, raising concerns over procedural lapses. The incident prompted a three-hour investigation by senior officials from the Gandhinagar Health Department and the Rural SP.

The scam highlights the darker side of private healthcare practices, where unethical profiteering has reportedly flourished under the PM-JAY scheme. According to sources, the fraud involves general practitioners in rural clinics and intermediaries who persuade villagers to seek treatment at private hospitals under the guise of superior healthcare. These mediators reportedly earn significant commissions, ranging from cash and electronics to extravagant perks like foreign tour packages.

The PM-JAY scheme, intended to provide affordable healthcare to economically disadvantaged families, has instead been exploited for financial gain by certain private multispeciality hospitals. The Ahmedabad Crime Branch’s ongoing probe aims to identify and prosecute those responsible for these irregularities while ensuring accountability within the healthcare system.

This case has exposed vulnerabilities in the implementation of government health schemes and underscores the need for stricter oversight to protect the interests of patients. The investigation is expected to uncover more details about the fraudulent network and ensure justice for the victims of the alleged malpractice.