Economic Fraud
Novus Path Lab booked for Covid-Testing Fraud during Kumbh!
A case of fraud has been lodged against Novus Path Lab and its partner doctor, Sandhya Sharma, in connection with an alleged fake Covid testing scam during the Kumbh Mela 2021. The case, registered under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 467, 468 (forgery), and 471 (fraud) of the Indian Penal Code, sheds light on a large-scale fraudulent operation that has come to light.
According to Superintendent of Police (City) Swatantra Kumar, investigations revealed that the lab engaged in fraudulent activities related to RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen tests during the Kumbh Fair, blatantly violating norms set by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). An examination of ICMR data pertaining to the laboratory unveiled that a majority of the entries made by Novus Path Lab on the council’s portal regarding the tests were found to be fake.
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The modus operandi of the lab operators involved a criminal conspiracy aimed at reaping unfair profits by deceiving authorities and manipulating records. The fraudulent activities resulted in a significant revenue loss for the government, with Novus Path Lab reportedly receiving an erroneous payment of Rs 2,41,20,486.
It was revealed that the Uttarakhand Health Department had entrusted the Covid testing work to three private labs, namely Max Corporate Service, Nalwa Laboratory (Hisar), and Lalchandani Path Lab. These labs, in turn, subcontracted the testing work to the local Novus Path Lab. The irregularities came to light when it was discovered that an unusually high number of Covid tests were linked to a single phone number.
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The unfolding of this scandal underscores the importance of stringent oversight and adherence to established guidelines in the medical testing sector. Authorities are now tasked with conducting a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and transparency in healthcare practices, particularly during public health emergencies like the Covid-19 pandemic.
