ED Conducts Raids at 21 Sites in Jharkhand’s Ayushman Fraud; Recovers Rs 20 Lakh and Vital Documents
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Synopsis
On April 4, the ED conducted simultaneous raids in Jharkhand targeting 21 locations linked to the Ayushman Bharat scam, recovering Rs 20 lakh and important documents related to alleged money laundering. Key individuals associated with the scheme are under investigation.
Key Takeaways
- ED raided 21 locations in Jharkhand.
- Seized Rs 20 lakh in cash and crucial documents.
- Investigation linked to the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
- Key figures in the scam are being scrutinized.
- More revelations expected as the probe continues.
Ranchi, April 4 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed raids at 21 locations linked to the suspected Ayushman Bharat scam in Jharkhand, seizing Rs 20 lakh in cash, extensive investment documents, and various papers associated with the purported money laundering case.
The cash was primarily confiscated from the residence of Om Prakash, personal secretary to former state Health Minister Banna Gupta.
The operation aimed at key figures, including Jharkhand State Arogya Society (JHSAS) Additional Executive Director Abhishek Srivastava, Senior Consultant Vaibhav Rai, and several previous officials tied to third-party administrators like MD India Health Insurance, Safeway, and Medi Assist.
Personnel such as Dayashankar Choudhary and Manish are also under the ED’s scrutiny.
The coordinated raids commenced at 7 a.m. across 17 locations in Jharkhand -- encompassing Ranchi, Jamshedpur, and Bokaro -- alongside two sites in West Bengal and one each in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
This operation follows a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), which unveiled significant irregularities in the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The Central government auditor's report accused hospitals in Jharkhand of falsifying patient bills to claim government payments amounting to crores, with funds fraudulently withdrawn in the names of deceased patients.
In light of the CAG findings, the ED requested details from the Jharkhand State Health Society and the Health Department concerning actions taken against those implicated. The Health Department subsequently provided data on FIRs filed against numerous hospitals.
Based on these insights, the ED initiated an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and commenced its investigation.
Jharkhand boasts over 750 hospitals registered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with numerous complaints of fraud worth crores. To date, investigations have indicated the involvement of Om Prakash, the private secretary to former Health Minister Banna Gupta, in the fraud.
The ED’s investigation is underway, with additional revelations anticipated in the near future.
