Rs 550 Crore Medical Scam: New Chargesheet Filed in Raipur

Chhattisgarh ACB Files Supplementary Chargesheet in Medical Fraud Case

The medical procurement scam in Chhattisgarh has reached a new legal milestone after recent investigative developments. Specifically, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) filed a supplementary chargesheet against four individuals this Thursday. These persons allegedly manipulated government tenders for essential diagnostic equipment and reagent chemicals. Consequently, the state exchequer suffered a massive financial loss of approximately Rs 550 crore during the 2023 fiscal year.

Details of the Medical Procurement Scam

Investigations revealed that several private firms collaborated to rig the bidding process for state contracts. For instance, Mokshit Corporation, Recorders & Medicare Systems, and Shri Sharda Industries used fabricated documents to meet technical eligibility criteria. Furthermore, they coordinated their financial bids to ensure Mokshit Corporation always appeared as the lowest bidder. Because of this strategic collusion, the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC) accepted highly inflated prices for medical supplies, which often undermines the quality of care provided by healthcare professionals undergoing foundation comprehensive training.

The price disparities discovered by investigating officials were truly significant. For example, the government purchased EDTA blood collection tubes for Rs 2,352 each. In contrast, other public institutions bought the same items for only Rs 8.50. Similarly, CBC machines costing Rs 5 lakh in the open market were sold to the state for Rs 17 lakh. This systematic overcharging directly impacted the ‘Hamar Lab’ scheme, which aims to provide free diagnostic services to the general public, highlighting the need for transparent clinical imaging standards in procurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who are the individuals named in the supplementary chargesheet?

The supplementary chargesheet names Abhishek Kaushal, Rakesh Jain, Prince Jain, and Kunjal Sharma. These individuals held leadership or liaison roles in firms like Recorders and Medicare Systems, Shri Sharda Industries, and DiaSys India.

Q2: How did the firms manipulate the tender process?

The firms allegedly fabricated documents regarding their production capacity and maintenance services. They also submitted financial bids with identical patterns to ensure one specific company secured the contract at inflated rates.

Q3: What was the total financial impact on the state?

The ACB/EOW investigation established that the collusion led to a financial loss of Rs 550 crore to the state exchequer through inflated prices for reagents and medical equipment, an area where hematology diagnostics are critical for patient safety.

References

1. Medical items purchase ‘scam’: Chhattisgarh ACB/EOW files supplementarychargesheet against 4 – ETHealthworld
2. CGMSC Scam: ACB Files Supplementary Chargesheet in ₹550 Cr Case – Dainik Jagran
3. ED attaches Rs 80.36 Cr assets in Chhattisgarh Medical Equipment Procurement scam – United News of India

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