Doctor Signature, stamp counterfeited for Fake Patient Admission Record at PGIMS Rohtak, Probe on
Rohtak: A case of forgery, purported with an intent of extracting undue advantage surfaced at Pt BD Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak, wherein a senior doctor's signature and the stamp was counterfeited for fake admission and discharge of a patient.
Police have now started investigating the case that goes back to 2019, based on a complaint by Dr Sandeep, Deputy Medical Superintendent (DMS)-cum-Nodal Officer (Litigation) of Pt BD Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak.
The case involves forgery of a senior doctor's signature and stamps to make apparently authentic discharge and follow-up card of a patent. Although the case is quite old, it was not reported to the Police earlier. After the committee constituted by the institute looked into the matter and submitted its report last year, Dr Sandeep on Sunday filed a criminal case against unidentified persons.
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A doctor belonging to the institute, requesting anonymity, has described the case in detail to the Tribune India. He said, "A man in police uniform came to the PGIMS and requested a doctor to verify a patient's documents pleading that these are needed for a court case. The man sneaked off when the doctor — on suspicion – started questioning him. Later, the doctor informed the higher authorities who constituted a committee on January 23, 2020, to look into the matter."
The doctor has further informed the daily that as per the forged documents, the name of the patient was one Phoolpati, aged 76 years. The documents claimed that Phoolpati got registered as an OPD patient on October 3, 2019 and got admitted to a unit of the medicine department a day after. She remained admitted there for three days and was discharged on October 6, 2019.
Amar Ujala adds that the documents contained the medicines prescribed to the patient along with the details of the disease. The card also had the seal of Professor and Head of the Unit of Medicine Department.
Giving further information regarding the matter, the doctor told the Tribune India, "The inquiry committee comprising Dr SK Singhal of anaesthesia department and Dr Kundan Mittal of paediatrics department scrutinized the official record of admitted patients and recorded the statement of the doctor concerned who denied that no patient with that name was admitted or treated by his unit during the period mentioned on her discharge card. The committee submitted its report to the authorities in December 2020."
Dr Sandeep added that all the documents related to the case were found to be fake after inquiry. Thereafter, the institute sent the case to the Police for investigation.
PGIMS Public Relations Officer Dr. Gajendra informed Amar Ujala that such false documents could be used for getting bail, discharge from duty, or for defense in other serious matters. It could also be a simple fraud to claim a bill. Thus investigating the roots of the case is necessary.
He further informed the daily that in order to ban forgery, instructions would be given to submit the papers with full name and signature.
Meanwhile, Police have started investigating the case. Speaking to Amar Ujala, Raju Sindhu, PGIMS Police Station Incharge said, "All documents related to the case are being collected. It is difficult to say anything clearly now. The investigation is being done on the basis of the complaint. Action will be taken on the basis of what will come up in the investigation."
