Mumbai vaccination scam: BMC seals Shivam Hospital, cancels license

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday sealed Shivam Hospital in the Charkop area after cancelling its license owing to its involvement in the alleged fake Covid vaccination scam in the city

Published on: Jul 2, 2021, 23:24:49 IST

By Mehul R Thakkar, Mumbai

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Friday sealed Shivam Hospital in the Charkop area after cancelling its license owing to its involvement in the alleged fake Covid vaccination scam in the city. According to BMC officials, they have taken the action in response to the report received from Mumbai Police. The hospital had no patients at the time of sealing.

The hospital’s owners were allegedly involved in authorised vaccination camps from March 14 to April 30 at Shivam Hospital in collaboration with the BMC, where around 150,000 people were vaccinated. The hospital later allegedly retained the “unused” or “leftover” Covishield vaccine doses in empty bottles. The hospital allegedly supplied the leftover stock to their associates who held unauthorised vaccination camps at various places across Mumbai.

Sanjay Kurhade, assistant municipal commissioner of BMC’s R South Ward said, “We have sealed the hospital and cancelled its license as per the provisions in the Bombay Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1949. The action was on the basis of a report received from Mumbai Police. At the time of sealing the hospital, there were no patients admitted at the hospital.”

The hospital came under the scanner after residents of Hiranandani Heritage in Kandivli complained to the authorities about a suspicious vaccination drive. Around 390 residents who were vaccinated did not get any symptoms and they also received vaccination certificates from different hospitals.

Meanwhile, on Friday 83,644 citizens were vaccinated as around 300 vaccination centres of BMC and state government were functional for around three hours only followed by 98 private vaccination centres. Till now, 5,551,449 citizens have been vaccinated since the start of the drive on January 16, 2021. On Saturday, vaccination will be conducted between 9 am to 5 pm at civic run and state government’s vaccination centres.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mehul R Thakkar
Mehul R Thakkar is a Mumbai-based journalist who closely tracks the city’s ever-evolving real estate landscape. He believes that Mumbai presents a unique reality that, while Mumbaikars deeply aspire to own a home in the city of dreams, many spend little actual time living in it due to long commutes and demanding work lives. With over 11 years of experience in journalism, I have reported across a wide spectrum of beats, including real estate, housing, infrastructure, aviation, and education. I have also extensively covered the workings of India’s wealthiest civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), providing insight into the policy, governance, and urban planning decisions that directly influence Mumbai’s growth. Before joining Hindustan Times, I worked in fast-paced digital and print newsrooms, including Moneycontrol.com and Deccan Chronicle, as well as national dailies such as The Asian Age and DNA. Outside the newsroom, I am an avid weather tracker, a fan of spy thrillers in both books and films, and a keen follower of international affairs.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated with all the Breaking News and Latest News from Mumbai. Click here for comprehensive coverage of top Cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, and more across India along with Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News.