MUMBAI: A sessions court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Pritam Sahebrao Pachpute, a partner and authorised signatory of Nashik’s Rishikesh Hospital which allegedly submitted fake treatment records and obtained ₹45.45 lakh under government health schemes.
The case relates to an alleged ₹1.79-crore fraud involving 361 claims submitted by three Nashik hospitals under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana. The fraud came to light during a government verification of suspicious claims.
According to the order passed by additional sessions judge Anil D Salunkhe, Rishikesh Hospital accounted for 72 of the alleged fraudulent claims. Seven of the claims allegedly related to people who had already died on the dates on which treatment was shown as having been provided.
Pachpute applied for anticipatory bail, arguing that she was only an authorised signatory, and neither the owner of the hospital nor a beneficiary of the money. The prosecution opposed the plea, saying that she was also a partner in the hospital and had a role in submitting the allegedly fabricated records. It sought her custodial interrogation.
The court, after examining the FIR, case diary and partnership documents, said that Pachpute’s role appeared to extend well beyond that of an authorised signatory. Holding that custodial interrogation was necessary, the court rejected her anticipatory bail plea. It also noted that government officials had issued notices to the hospitals during their inquiry and given them an opportunity to respond before the police case was registered.
{{/usCountry}}The court, after examining the FIR, case diary and partnership documents, said that Pachpute’s role appeared to extend well beyond that of an authorised signatory. Holding that custodial interrogation was necessary, the court rejected her anticipatory bail plea. It also noted that government officials had issued notices to the hospitals during their inquiry and given them an opportunity to respond before the police case was registered.
{{/usCountry}}The FIR was registered by the Worli police on a complaint by the public health department. The three hospitals had allegedly submitted 361 claims worth ₹1.79 crore, of which ₹45.45 lakh was sought by Rishikesh Hospital through 72 claims.
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