CBI Arrests Medical Officer, Hospital Executive in Uttar Pradesh Bribery Case
LUCKNOW, Uttar Pradesh — India’s Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a medical officer and a private hospital executive in connection with an alleged bribery scheme involving patient referrals under a government health program, officials said Monday.
The agency said the case involves alleged payments made in exchange for directing patients to a particular hospital empaneled under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme.
Those arrested were identified as Major Dr. Ashish Shakya (retd), a medical officer posted at the ECHS Polyclinic in Etah, and Bijendra Singh, an assistant general manager at a private hospital.
According to investigators, the case was registered on March 15 against five accused, including the medical officer, a private hospital or company, three representatives of the hospital, and other unidentified individuals.
The CBI alleged that the medical officer worked with hospital representatives to provide undue benefits to the facility by referring ECHS beneficiaries there for treatment in exchange for illegal payments.
Investigators said the officer allegedly accepted bribes from hospital management in return for directing patients under the scheme to the hospital.
During a trap operation conducted by the agency, officials recovered ₹300,000 (about $3,600) that was allegedly delivered to the medical officer by a representative of the private hospital as a bribe.
Both suspects were arrested Sunday.
The CBI also conducted searches at multiple locations, including Noida, Etah, Firozabad and Farrukhabad, where investigators said they recovered documents and digital devices believed to be connected to the alleged corruption network.
Officials said the investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of the conspiracy and identify any additional individuals involved. (Source: IANS)
