Ahmedabad: A major fraud involving medical liquor permits has been uncovered at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, exposing serious irregularities in the implementation of prohibition laws in Gujarat. The scam, estimated at around ₹50 lakh, revolves around fake payment receipts and alleged embezzlement of funds by hospital staff.
According to initial findings, three employees linked to the hospital’s liquor permit department have been arrested for their alleged involvement. The fraud came to light after discrepancies were detected in permit issuance records and financial entries associated with the Patient Welfare Committee.
Fake receipts issued without actual transactions
Investigators found that at least 257 receipts issued to applicants were fraudulent. These receipts were presented as valid proof of payment for liquor permits, but the corresponding funds were never deposited into designated government accounts.
Under Gujarat’s strict prohibition policy, liquor permits on medical grounds can only be issued after payment of prescribed fees—₹25,000 for a new permit and ₹20,000 for renewal. These payments are mandated to be made through official online channels to ensure transparency and accountability.
However, in this case, officials discovered that multiple applicants were handed receipts without any real financial transaction taking place, indicating a systematic breach of established procedures.
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Modus operandi suggests organised manipulation
The probe indicates that the accused exploited loopholes in the system by issuing fake payment acknowledgements while collecting money directly from applicants. By bypassing official channels, they were able to divert funds for personal gain.
In one instance, authorities identified that ₹1.80 lakh collected from nine applicants was similarly misappropriated. This pattern points to a repeated and organised method rather than isolated misconduct.
Sources suggest that the accused may have taken advantage of applicants’ limited awareness about the official payment process, particularly in urgent medical cases where permits are sought quickly.
Arrests made, internal inquiry initiated
Following the detection of the scam, three staff members, including a senior clerk, were taken into custody. Their exact roles and the extent of their involvement are currently under investigation.
The hospital administration launched an internal inquiry immediately after the irregularities surfaced. A detailed report was compiled and handed over to authorities, forming the basis for further legal proceedings.
Officials are now examining transaction logs, documentation, and digital records to determine the full scale of the fraud and identify whether additional individuals were involved.
Concerns over enforcement of prohibition laws
The incident has raised serious questions about the effectiveness of prohibition enforcement in Gujarat, where liquor consumption is otherwise banned except under specific medical permissions.
Experts believe that such systems can become vulnerable if monitoring mechanisms are weak or if internal controls are bypassed. The use of forged receipts highlights gaps in verification and auditing processes.
Possibility of a wider network under probe
Investigators are exploring whether the scam extends beyond the hospital and involves a broader network. Given the large number of fake receipts identified, officials suspect the fraud may have been ongoing for a significant period.
Authorities are also reviewing past permit records to detect further irregularities and identify individuals who may have unknowingly paid money through unofficial channels.
