Cardiac scam at J&K's Anantnag GMC: 103 patients, false claims, extortion
Synopsis
A government probe at GMC Anantnag has exposed an alleged cardiac scam involving falsified procedure records, fraudulent PMJAY-SEHAT insurance claims, and direct extortion of patients — with 27 of 55 reviewed cases showing procedures performed on patients who had no medical indication for them. The chargesheet against Dr Syed Maqbool recommends termination.
Key Takeaways
Cardiologist Dr Syed Maqbool of GMC Anantnag , J&K, faces a formal chargesheet over alleged pacemaker fraud, false insurance claims, and patient extortion.
An expert panel from SKIMS, Soura found 27 out of 55 patients (49%) underwent LBBAP procedures without any medical justification.
The alleged scam covers 103 heart patients in total, with the State Health Agency (SHA) rejecting the fraudulent TMS claims.
Patient Peer Rafiq Ahmad was allegedly forced to pay ₹70,000 to a private vendor despite being entitled to free cashless treatment under PMJAY-SEHAT .
The chargesheet recommends disciplinary action including termination from service for gross misconduct and abuse of official position.
A government-ordered probe has uncovered an alleged cardiac procedure scam at the Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, in Jammu and Kashmir, implicating cardiologist Dr Syed Maqbool in falsified medical records, fraudulent insurance claims, unwarranted surgeries, and direct financial extortion of patients entitled to free healthcare. A formal chargesheet has been served on the doctor, with disciplinary action including termination recommended.
What the Probe Found
The investigation was triggered after the State Health Agency (SHA) noticed an alarming spike in Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) procedures logged by Dr Maqbool. The SHA referred the data to the Head of Department of Cardiology at SKIMS, Soura, for an independent expert review.
Cross-referencing online TMS (Transaction Management System) claims against the physical Cath Lab Procedure Register revealed that Dr Maqbool had reportedly performed LBBAP while billing the government for the costlier Dual Chamber Pacemaker — a procedure with a significantly different clinical profile and reimbursement rate.
Unwarranted Procedures on 27 Patients
The expert panel from SKIMS established that LBBAP is a highly specialised procedure indicated only for patients with borderline or severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and a specific narrow QRS ECG morphology. A clinical audit of Dr Maqbool's cases found that 27 out of 55 patients (49%) had normal LV function and wide QRS morphology — conditions for which LBBAP is medically unjustified.
According to the chargesheet, the SHA consequently rejected these fraudulent claims. Technical experts at SKIMS confirmed that Dr Maqbool had committed 'flagrant procedural misrepresentation' by logging false procedure descriptions in the official TMS system.
Patient Extortion Under PMJAY-SEHAT
Beyond the billing fraud, investigators allege that Dr Maqbool bypassed the government supply chain and sourced medical implants directly from private vendors, then reportedly passed on those costs to patients who were legally entitled to completely cashless treatment under the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme.
In one documented case cited in the chargesheet, a patient identified as Peer Rafiq Ahmad was allegedly forced to pay ₹70,000 to a private vendor for a cardiac procedure. Beneficiary audits and field verification reportedly established that the payment was made outside official hospital channels, and that the patient attributed the transaction to directions from his treating doctor. Officials have described this as a gross violation of PMJAY-SEHAT guidelines and a serious infringement of patient rights.
Scale of the Alleged Scam
The malpractice, as outlined in the chargesheet, covers 103 heart patients in total. The government's explanation served on Dr Maqbool states that his actions reflect 'a complete failure of devotion to duty, a gross abuse of official position, and serious medical malpractice.' The chargesheet warns that the conduct warrants disciplinary action, including termination from service.
Investigators also accuse the cardiologist of bypassing established procurement mechanisms — specifically the PMJAY Section, Casualty Medical Officer, and the AMRIT Store — by sourcing implants and hardware directly from private vendors, a practice that allegedly enabled both overcharging and the extortion of beneficiaries.
What Happens Next
A formal disciplinary process is now underway. The SHA's rejection of the fraudulent TMS claims has already been recorded, and the expert panel's findings from SKIMS are part of the official record. The case is likely to draw scrutiny over oversight mechanisms at government medical institutions across J&K, particularly given the involvement of a centrally funded scheme like PMJAY-SEHAT.
Point of View
Raising questions about why real-time TMS reconciliation did not catch the discrepancy earlier. More troubling is the PMJAY-SEHAT dimension: a scheme designed to protect the most vulnerable patients was allegedly used as cover to extort them. If beneficiary audits could establish the extortion trail, the question is why institutional checks did not do so first. Without stronger, independent oversight at government medical colleges, the scheme's cashless promise remains only as secure as the integrity of individual practitioners.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cardiac scam at GMC Anantnag in J&K?
A government probe has uncovered alleged large-scale medical fraud at Government Medical College Anantnag, where cardiologist Dr Syed Maqbool is accused of falsifying procedure records, filing fraudulent insurance claims under PMJAY-SEHAT, performing unwarranted cardiac procedures, and extorting patients. The chargesheet covers 103 heart patients and recommends termination of service.
What is LBBAP and why were the procedures considered fraudulent?
Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) is a highly specialised cardiac procedure indicated only for patients with borderline or severe left ventricular dysfunction and a specific ECG morphology. An expert panel from SKIMS, Soura, found that 27 of 55 reviewed patients had normal LV function and wide QRS morphology, meaning there was no medical justification for the procedure in those cases.
How were PMJAY-SEHAT patients allegedly exploited?
Despite being entitled to fully cashless cardiac treatment under the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme, patients were allegedly directed to pay private vendors for implants and hardware. In one documented case, patient Peer Rafiq Ahmad reportedly paid ₹70,000 out of pocket. Investigators say the doctor bypassed official procurement channels — including the PMJAY Section and AMRIT Store — to source devices privately.
What action has been taken against Dr Syed Maqbool?
A formal chargesheet and explanation have been served on Dr Maqbool. The State Health Agency has rejected the fraudulent TMS claims, and the chargesheet recommends disciplinary action including termination from government service for gross misconduct, abuse of official position, and serious medical malpractice.
How was the scam detected?
The State Health Agency noticed an unusual spike in LBBAP procedures logged by Dr Maqbool and referred the data to the Head of Department of Cardiology at SKIMS, Soura, for an expert review. Cross-referencing TMS online claims against the physical Cath Lab Procedure Register revealed the discrepancies between the procedures billed and those actually performed.
