19 Villagers Trapped in PM-JAY Fraud; 2 Lives Lost
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch has arrested eight individuals in connection with a large-scale scam involving the misuse of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme. This investigation, which began following the deaths of two patients after medical procedures at Khyati Multispeciality Hospital, has revealed a disturbing nexus of fraudulent activities.
Tragic Outcomes from Misuse of PM-JAY Scheme
On November 12, two patients, Nagarbhai Senma (59) and Mahesh Barot (45), tragically lost their lives after undergoing angioplasty procedures at Khyati Multispeciality Hospital. The hospital had conducted a medical camp in Borisana village, Mehsana district, where 19 villagers were brought in for angiography procedures under the PM-JAY scheme. Out of these, seven patients underwent angioplasty, resulting in two fatalities.
Criminal Investigation Transferred to Crime Branch
Recognizing the severity of the incidents, the Ahmedabad City Police Commissioner ordered the transfer of all three cases related to the matter to the Crime Branch. These cases were initially registered at Vastrapur Police Station.
Fraudulent Network Unveiled
Officials revealed that the accused exploited vulnerabilities in government portals, manipulating source codes to generate approximately 1,200 to 1,500 fake PM-JAY cards—additionally, Nikhil Parekh, an employee of Enser Communication Pvt. Ltd—a company contracted to issue PM-JAY cards—provided login credentials to the fraudsters in exchange for a monthly bribe of ₹8,000 to ₹10,000. Parekh has yet to be arrested.
Dodiya operated multiple online platforms to advertise and create these fake cards. He connected with accomplices via WhatsApp and Telegram groups, forming a network that included Mohammad Fazal and Asfaque from Ahmedabad, Narendra Singh Gohil and Imtiyaz from Bhavnagar, and Imran from Surat. The Crime Branch arrested these six individuals, including Dodiya.
Hospital’s Financial Reliance on PM-JAY
According to police, Khyati Multispeciality Hospital earned approximately ₹11 crore over the past 18 months, with 70% of its revenue coming from PM-JAY scheme beneficiaries. The hospital’s founder-director, Dr. Sanjay Patoliya, and CEO Rahul Jain are among those arrested. Other detainees include Chirag Rajput, Milind Patel, Pankaj Patel, Pratik Bhatt, and cardiologist Dr. Prashant Vazirani. However, Kartik Patel, the hospital director, and Rajshree Kothari remain absconding.
Conclusion
This case highlights the grave consequences of exploiting healthcare schemes meant to benefit the underprivileged. While the Ahmedabad Crime Branch continues its investigation, the arrests made so far underscore the urgent need for stricter safeguards and accountability mechanisms in the implementation of public welfare programs.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
