Bengaluru's Victoria Hospital Rocked by Rs 23-Lakh Digital Payment Scam
An alleged digital payment fraud amounting to approximately Rs 23 lakh has been detected at Victoria Hospital, one of Bengaluru's largest government-run healthcare facilities. This incident has triggered significant concerns over financial controls and transparency in public hospitals across the tech capital.
Police Complaint Filed Over UPI ID Manipulation
In a formal complaint lodged with the VV Puram police on Tuesday, hospital authorities alleged that data operating officers at certain cash counters systematically used their personal UPI IDs instead of the hospital's official government UPI ID to collect payments from patients and their attendants. The complaint was filed by Dr Deepak S, the medical superintendent of Victoria Hospital.
A police official involved in the case stated: "The complaint alleges that the staff responsible for collecting money at various counters, including the laboratory, OPD, and X-ray departments, used QR codes linked to their personal UPI accounts instead of the government ID. This resulted in diverted transactions totaling Rs 23 lakh. Once the FIR is officially registered, we will begin summoning employees for detailed investigation."
Internal Audit Confirms Suspicious Transactions
Dr Deepak revealed to media sources that suspicions about fund misappropriation first emerged several months ago when discrepancies were noticed in transaction records. "We established an internal committee and conducted a thorough audit of transactions from recent months, which confirmed our initial suspicions. This discovery prompted us to file a police complaint," he explained.
The medical superintendent further added: "We have not yet identified precisely which of our 8-10 counters were involved in the money siphoning. As the police investigation commences, our auditors will meticulously examine records to determine exactly when the misappropriation began and the total amount diverted. Currently, Rs 23 lakh represents our preliminary estimate based on available evidence."
Vulnerable Patients and Public Funds at Risk
Victoria Hospital, with over 1,000 beds and a multi-department outpatient facility, serves thousands of patients daily, predominantly from weaker socio-economic backgrounds across Karnataka and other states, including migrant laborers. The hospital's critical role in providing affordable healthcare makes this financial breach particularly concerning.
Dr Kavya ST, director-cum-dean of Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute (BMCRI), emphasized the gravity of the situation: "Since public money is involved, I immediately ordered the filing of a police complaint to ensure proper investigation and accountability."
Five-Month Delay in Reporting the Fraud
Despite suspicions arising months earlier, there was a significant five-month delay in formally reporting the incident to police authorities. Dr Kavya, who assumed her position at the end of August, clarified that the fund diversion began before her tenure. "Upon taking charge, I instructed the filing of an FIR with police, but administrative procedures and internal verifications required several months to complete," she stated, highlighting bureaucratic challenges in addressing such financial irregularities promptly.
This case underscores the urgent need for:
- Enhanced digital payment monitoring systems in government healthcare facilities
- Stricter financial audit protocols for public institutions
- Regular staff training on ethical financial practices
- Transparent grievance redressal mechanisms for patients and stakeholders
The ongoing police investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the scam, identify all responsible individuals, and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in Bengaluru's vital public healthcare infrastructure.
