Hyderabad's Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute has become the center of a disturbing fraud case where a young billing clerk allegedly preyed upon critically ill cancer patients. The Banjara Hills police have registered a case and launched an intensive search for the accused, who remains at large after systematically cheating vulnerable patients.
The Elaborate Deception Uncovered
According to the official complaint filed by hospital assistant manager B Radha Krishna, the accused M Prashanth had been working in the pathology billing section for merely two months before his scheme unraveled. During this brief period, the 26-year-old clerk managed to extract over ₹70,000 from at least a dozen patients through calculated deception.
Prashanth employed clever tactics to convince patients to transfer diagnostic test charges directly to his personal mobile-linked payment account. He allegedly told patients that the hospital server was experiencing technical difficulties or that scanning machines were under repair. "He told them paying him directly would help them avoid queues," Radha Krishna stated in the complaint, highlighting how the clerk exploited patients' urgency and vulnerability.
Pattern of Exploitation and Disappearance
The situation took a more serious turn when Prashanth stopped reporting for duty on November 11 and completely disappeared. However, even after going absconding, he continued his predatory behavior by contacting additional vulnerable patients. Shockingly, he threatened to delay processing their insurance claims unless they paid him additional amounts, demonstrating a persistent pattern of exploitation.
Hospital management became aware of the situation when multiple patients approached them with concerns about payments they had made directly to the clerk. This prompted an internal investigation that revealed the extent of the fraud, leading to the formal police complaint filed on Monday.
Legal Action and Police Investigation
The Banjara Hills police have registered a comprehensive case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 316(4) for criminal breach of trust by clerk or servant
- Section 318(4) for cheating
- Section 308(2) for extortion
- Section 351(2) for criminal intimidation
Police officials confirmed they are analyzing digital payment records from affected patients to build a strong case against the accused. "We are analysing digital payment records from affected patients. The accused is on the run and efforts are underway to trace him," a Banjara Hills police official stated.
The hospital management has expressed deep concern over the incident and is cooperating fully with the investigation. They emphasized their commitment to patient welfare and assured that additional safeguards are being implemented to prevent similar incidents in the future.
