Ayushman Bharat Investigator Accused of Threatening Hospital Over Bill Clearance
In a major Ayushman Bharat scam case, a Jaipur-based doctor working as an investigator under the scheme has been arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹11 lakh from Siddhivinayak Hospital in Bhilwara. The doctor reportedly pressured the hospital by threatening to remove it from the Ayushman Bharat-linked Chief Minister Ayushman Arogya Yojana if the payment was not made.
According to media reports, the accused initially demanded ₹14 lakh to clear the hospital’s Ayushman Bharat treatment bills. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to ₹11 lakh. Siddhivinayak Hospital provides treatment under the state health scheme and submits its claims to the National Insurance Company, the authorised agency for bill payments.
During a routine review, some irregularities were flagged in the hospital’s bills, and officials warned of possible de-empanelment. Investigators allege the doctor misused this situation and asked for money in exchange for approving the Ayushman Bharat bills and keeping the hospital empanelled.
Following a complaint, the Ajmer unit of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) laid a trap. On Monday evening, the doctor arrived on Tilak Nagar Road to collect the bribe. The hospital manager handed over ₹9 lakh in dummy notes and ₹2 lakh in real cash. As soon as the money changed hands, the ACB team arrested the doctor on the spot.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and further investigation is ongoing. The accused is currently being questioned at the ACB office.
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Speaking to Bhaskar, the hospital manager said the doctor had been threatening the hospital for nearly a month, alleging fraud under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and warning that services would be stopped unless the bribe was paid. Distressed by the repeated threats, the management decided to approach the ACB.