Chandigarh: ₹88-lakh patient aid at PGI diverted without prescriptions, says panel report

These transactions were made for 75 patients who had not even requested reimbursements, reveals the Prof Arun Kumar Aggarwal committee report, which investigated misappropriation of funds in the Private Grant Cell

The investigation into the fraudulent diversion of over ₹1.14 crore from PGIMER’s Private Grant Cell, meant for needy patients, has revealed that the bulk of the funds – ₹88.12 lakh – were transferred to pharmaceutical vendors for medicines requisition without any doctor’s prescription slips.

PGIMER had earlier this year handed the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is now reviewing the matter, although no FIR has been filed yet. (HT File)

These transactions were made for 75 patients who had not even requested reimbursements, reveals the Prof Arun Kumar Aggarwal committee report, which investigated misappropriation of funds in the Private Grant Cell.

The funds were meant to cover treatment under government schemes, but the necessary prescriptions, which are a mandatory requirement for releasing such payments, were missing.

According to the report, these irregularities took place between 2017 to 2021, with five employees of the Private Grant Cell implicated in the scam. However, no senior officials have been named in the report.

PGIMER had earlier this year handed the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is now reviewing the matter, although no FIR has been filed yet.

The misappropriation was first discovered in October 2022, but the inquiry committee wasn’t formed until February 2023, and the report was only handed over to PGIMER in late 2024. Sources also highlight delays in bringing the matter to the CBI’s attention, with the case only transferred in February 2025.

Ashwani Munjal, chairman of the PGI Contractual Workers’ Union, obtained the report via RTI on July 1, 2025, bringing the fraud to light. He criticised the delayed constitution of the inquiry committee and noted it didn’t hold its first meeting until October 5, 2023.

Despite the shocking findings, five of six employees involved in the fraud are still employed at PGIMER, including three contractual workers Sunil Kumar, Pardeep Singh, Chetan Gupta, and an employee Gaganpreet on deputation. A permanent employee, junior administrative assistant Dharam Chand got retired in 2020.

PGIMER medical superintendent Vipin Kaushal said, “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.”