Guwahati: A major fraud under the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has been unearthed in Assam, exposing systematic exploitation of government healthcare funds. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), during its Guwahati regional investigation, found that the operators of Shifa Hospital and Research Center in Hailakandi lured beneficiaries with a nominal payment of ₹300, photographing them as fake patients and uploading these images on the government portal. Based on this, 778 bogus reimbursement claims were filed, generating an illegal income of ₹64,10,780.
Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the ED issued provisional attachment orders and seized the accused’s immovable properties worth ₹55.33 lakh, including five plots of land and one floor of a multi-story building. This case illustrates large-scale exploitation of funds under the scheme.
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Operation of the Fake Hospital
Investigations revealed that Shifa Hospital provided no actual medical treatment. Registered beneficiaries were invited to a temporary facility, paid ₹300, and photographed lying on hospital beds. These images were then uploaded to the Transaction Management System (TMS) portal, generating fraudulent reimbursement claims without any legitimate medical procedures.
Bogus Claims and Government Fund Misappropriation: On the basis of these 778 fabricated claims, the state health agency of Assam, Atal Amrit Abhiyan Society, credited ₹57.96 lakh into the hospital’s bank account. The ED discovered that the money was systematically withdrawn via cash and UPI transfers.
Investment in Properties
The accused used the illicit proceeds to acquire immovable assets. Without any legal source of income, they purchased five plots and constructed two multi-story buildings. Subsequently, the ED provisionally attached six assets, initiating recovery of the misappropriated government funds.
Investigation and FIR
The ED conducted the probe based on the FIR and charge-sheet registered at Hailakandi Police Station. It was revealed that Shifa Hospital filed fraudulent claims between April 22, 2019, and November 5, 2022. Upon visiting the declared address, ED officials found no evidence of the hospital’s actual existence.
Planned Fraud Strategy
The accused executed a meticulously planned scam. Ayushman card beneficiaries were brought to the fake facility, photographed, and these images were uploaded to the government portal to generate false claims, enabling the accused to siphon off government funds.
Experts note that such systematic fraud highlights the critical need for robust monitoring and swift action to protect beneficiaries and government money. The ED’s decisive action not only uncovers the scheme but also serves as a warning against similar fraudulent practices in the future.
