Rs 64 lakh Chhattisgarh snakebite compensation scam: Doctor among 19 arrested

Raipur: A Maharashtra-based doctor has been arrested by Bilaspur Police in Chhattisgarh for her alleged role in a fake snakebite death compensation racket, in which forged post-mortem reports were allegedly used to claim compensation. Police said 19 people have been arrested so far, while the role of other doctors is under investigation. 

The racket allegedly secured around Rs 64 lakh in compensation under the state's relief scheme. Investigators have identified 16 fraudulent compensation claims so far. According to the probe, beneficiaries were allegedly paid around Rs 50,000 in each case, while the remaining amount was distributed among members of the syndicate.

According to investigators, 16 FIRs have been registered in connection with the case. The probe has revealed that the accused allegedly prepared forged documents by using old inquest cases involving deaths caused by illness, cancer, suicide and other causes, and falsely projected them as snakebite deaths to claim compensation.

Under the Chhattisgarh government's compensation scheme, the family of a person who dies from a snakebite is entitled to financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh.

Police alleged that the arrested doctor assisted in preparing forged post-mortem reports and failed to preserve skin samples for forensic examination, which investigators believe was done to support false claims. Officials further claimed that at least four fraudulent post-mortem reports have been prepared, and the involvement of additional doctors is being examined.

Investigators suspect that the alleged fraud was carried out over several years, between 2019 and 2024.

According to police, the alleged conspiracy involved multiple individuals performing different roles. Investigators claim that one group persuaded families of deceased persons to state that the deaths had occurred due to snakebite and obtained false medical certificates, while another group allegedly facilitated the clearance of compensation claims through forged official records.

According to the PTI, investigators have also recovered forged government seals, fabricated post-mortem reports, death certificates, inquest records, Aadhaar cards, bank documents, computers, printers, cash and other incriminating material during the investigation. Police said efforts are underway to identify other beneficiaries and public servants who may have been involved in the alleged fraud.

According to The Indian Express, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Bilaspur, Rajnesh Singh said, forged post-mortem reports were prepared in the names of doctors of CIMS Hospital, falsely showing snakebite as the cause of death, the SSP said. “Fake seals and signatures of the police, patwaris, doctors and other government offices were prepared to make the documents appear genuine. Based on these documents, financial assistance was sanctioned and credited into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, after which the amount was distributed among themselves''.

Police further stated that the fraud came to light after the issue was raised in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, following which an official investigation was ordered. 

The investigation is ongoing, and police have indicated that further arrests may be made as the probe progresses.