PGI Chandigarh Scam: Rs 1.14 crore misappropriated using Dead Patients' Names, reveals RTI

Chandigarh: A shocking major financial scam has come to light at Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh through a Right to Information (RTI) report which exposed that over Rs 1.14 crore funds meant for the treatment of poor and critically ill patients were misused and siphoned off using the names of dead patients, fake bills, and forged medical records. The matter is currently under the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation.

The investigation further uncovered that a major portion, Rs 88.12 lakh, was transferred to pharmaceutical vendors for medicine procurement without any accompanying doctor’s prescription slips.

The issue, which was inactive for three years, was raised by Ashwani Kumar Munjal, president of the Joint Action Committee of Contractual Workers’ Unions, who filed the RTI to access a report on financial irregularities in the Private Grant Cell. Initially, the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of PGIMER’s Vigilance Cell denied the report, but after an appeal and order from the Chief Vigilance Officer, the report was shared on July 1.

The 12-page detailed report prepared by Prof Arun Kumar Aggarwal exposes shocking facts. It highlights that Rs 27.66 lakh was taken using the names of three deceased patients. In one case, over Rs 11 lakh was released for a patient who had already passed away. The investigation also uncovered that PGIMER employees and their contacts were falsely shown as patients’ relatives to take another Rs 19 lakh. Later, the related files and software records subsequently went missing. Moreover, prescriptions were forged, and supply orders were issued without a doctor’s approval.

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Additionally, the inquiry uncovered that Rs 50.11 lakh was paid to vendors for medicines never prescribed, and patients never visited PGIMER for treatment. Utilisation certificates and bills were sent to funding agencies without any verification. Moreover, Rs 6.96 lakh was paid against manipulated bills, and Rs 62,328 was disbursed twice for the same treatment using two different patient files — one of whom was already dead.

The Tribune reported that the report also revealed that the original files in 37 cases were found missing, and no complaints were ever filed regarding their disappearance.

A separate audit by the Central Vigilance Cell confirmed that the disbursements had occurred despite the absence of any legitimate documentation in several cases. The audit pointed out that financial assistance was provided even after the death of patients, and in some cases, no hospital treatment records existed at all.

Despite such strong evidence, PGIMER delayed action for months. The probe committee was set up only after three months, and its first meeting took place eight months later in October 2023.

Even more concerning, the report points out that several of the accused continued to work within PGIMER during the investigation, and one officer was even allowed to retire without facing consequences. The involvement of contractual staff in handling crores of rupees is also highlighted as part of a possible wider network of collusion.

According to the committee’s findings, the irregularities occurred between 2017 and 2021, with five employees from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research's (PGIMER) Private Grant Cell implicated in the scam. But the scam came to light in October 2022, and the report does not name any senior officials.

However, the five employees, despite being involved in the scam, are still employed at PGIMER and an employee on deputation. Another permanent employee, junior administrative assistant Dharam Chand got retired in 2020 without facing any action.

Earlier this year, PGIMER transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is currently examining the matter. However, no First Information Report (FIR) has been filed yet.

Therefore, the Joint Action Committee is now demanding a deeper and impartial CBI probe to trace the involvement of top officials, not just contract workers and vendors.

While PGIMER has handed over the matter to the CBI, the Rs 1.14 crore figure is likely only a partial estimate. With multiple files and bills missing between September 2019 and October 2021, the total financial damage could be much higher.

PGIMER medical superintendent Vipin Kaushal told HT, “The case has been formally handed over to the CBI by the vigilance department. The CBI has since taken charge, and the investigation is currently in progress. Meanwhile, the directives issued by the vigilance department are being duly implemented by the Private Grant Cell.”

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