Ahmedabad doctor alleges Rs 59 lakh fraud in hospital laboratory deal

Ahmedabad: Navrangpura police have registered a case against a private hospital operator following allegations that a doctor was duped of Rs 59 lakh in a laboratory venture in Ahmedabad's Mithakhali. The doctor was reportedly offered space at the hospital to set up and operate the facility. 

According to the complaint, the doctor, who runs a laboratory in Vasna, was introduced to the hospital operator through a friend in May 2025. He was allegedly offered space inside the hospital to set up and operate a laboratory, with assurances that the facility would provide the required infrastructure and support the business.

The doctor and the operator entered into a seven-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) on May 3, 2025, which included a three-year lock-in period. Under the agreement, the doctor was required to pay a refundable security deposit of Rs 50 lakh and share 35% of the laboratory’s monthly turnover.

As per the complaint, the doctor paid Rs 34 lakh through two cheques in May and June 2025. A third cheque for Rs 16 lakh was issued but was not encashed.

The complaint further states that on July 14, the operator allegedly sought Rs 25 lakh, citing an urgent financial requirement and promising to return the amount before July 31. The doctor transferred the money through RTGS from the account of another firm to an account linked to the operator’s realty business, reports TOI. 

However, the alleged repayment did not take place. The doctor was later informed that a proposed deal involving the hospital had fallen through and that a fresh MoU would be executed to allow the laboratory to continue operating.

Despite repeated assurances, the doctor alleged that the money remained unpaid. In November 2025, the laboratory was allegedly forced to shut down by the hospital management.

The doctor further alleged that the accused obtained Rs 59 lakh through representations made about the laboratory venture and subsequently caused the facility to close.

Navrangpura police have registered a complaint and are investigating the allegations.