Noida Police Cracks Down on Fake ECHS Card Racket, Four Arrested in Rs 6.5 Lakh Medical Fraud
In a significant crackdown on healthcare fraud, the Noida police have arrested four individuals for allegedly using forged Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) cards to fraudulently access medical treatment valued at approximately Rs 6.5 lakh. The accused exploited the government health scheme by targeting financially vulnerable patients, revealing a sophisticated racket that operated for nearly two years.
Details of the Fraudulent Operation
The case unfolded when a family filed a police complaint after discovering their daughter's identity had been stolen to create fake documents. The accused were identified as Shikha Singh (25), her brother Yash Singh (20), Jitendra Yadav (31), and Danish Khan (22). According to DCP (Central Noida) Shakti Mohan Avasthy, the fraud began when Shikha's sister, Tanu, suffered from a prolonged illness, and her family could not afford proper medical treatment.
Through an acquaintance in the health department in Bulandshahr, the family contacted Danish Khan, who promised to arrange treatment at a significantly lower cost. Acting on Khan's instructions, Shikha and Yash admitted Tanu to a hospital on July 29, 2025, using the stolen identity of another woman—the complainant's daughter. The accused utilized forged ECHS and Aadhaar cards, shared via WhatsApp by Khan, to complete hospital formalities and secure benefits under the government health scheme.
Concealment of Fraud and Financial Transactions
Tanu died during treatment on August 5, 2025. In a bid to conceal the fraud, the accused allegedly obtained her body and prepared a fake death certificate using the same false identity. Police investigations revealed that Danish Khan received around Rs 65,000 through online transactions, with the remaining amount paid in cash for arranging the fraudulent treatment.
During interrogation, Khan confessed that he, along with his associate Pradeep, had been running similar fraud operations for nearly two years. The duo specifically targeted financially distressed families seeking affordable healthcare, facilitating hospital admissions using forged documents to generate fraudulent medical claims in exchange for money, stated DCP Avasthy.
Prior Criminal Records and Ongoing Investigation
Police added that both Khan and Yadav have previously been jailed in a similar case registered at Phase-2 police station in Noida and were out on bail at the time of this incident. Efforts are underway to arrest Pradeep, with a dedicated police team formed for this purpose.
An FIR has been registered under BNS sections 318(4) (cheating), 338 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc), 336(3) (forgery), 340 (forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine), and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) at Bisrakh police station. Recovered evidence, including mobile phones and fake digital documents, is being examined further as part of the ongoing investigation. Police are also probing whether more such cases are linked to this racket.
