Khanna Police Uncover Major Fraud Racket Involving Fake Medical Reports
The Khanna police have made a significant breakthrough by arresting two individuals allegedly involved in a sophisticated operation to prepare fraudulent dope test reports for firearms licences and medical examinations. During the operation, authorities recovered several forged seals and a substantial cache of counterfeit documents, exposing a network that targeted applicants seeking to bypass mandatory testing procedures.
Accused Identified and Key Recoveries Made
The arrested individuals have been identified as 55-year-old Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Field Ganj in Ludhiana, and 23-year-old Manchit Kumar from Pirkhana Road in Khanna. According to police officials, the recovery from the accused includes counterfeit seals of the Civil Hospital Khanna, Medical Officer, Senior Medical Officer (SMO) of Khanna, and Psychiatrist. Additionally, authorities seized OPD slips from the Punjab Health Systems Corporation and Civil Hospital Khanna, along with 27 Aadhaar cards, one PAN card, and a driving licence.
Investigation Triggered by Hospital Complaint
The matter came to light after the Senior Medical Officer (SMO) of Civil Hospital Khanna submitted a written complaint on March 27, flagging illegal activities related to document forgery. Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) and formed a special investigation team to delve deeper into the case. Ramesh Kumar, who also goes by the alias Tony, was arrested on March 28. His subsequent interrogation provided crucial leads that led to the arrest of Manchit Kumar, a BBA dropout, on March 30.
Background of the Accused and Their Operations
Investigators revealed that Manchit Kumar holds a parking contract at Civil Hospital Khanna, where his father operates a tea stall, potentially providing him access to the hospital premises. Meanwhile, Ramesh Kumar (Tony) reportedly manages a parking contract at Civil Hospital Ludhiana, suggesting a possible connection between the two facilities. A thorough search conducted by the police yielded various fake documents, forged certificates, and counterfeit stamps, indicating the scale of their illicit activities.
Targeting Arms Licence Applicants and Pricing Structure
SSP Dr Darpan Ahluwalia of Khanna explained that the gang primarily targeted arms licence applicants who had either failed or were unwilling to undergo the mandatory dope tests required for licensing. The accused allegedly charged between ₹10,000 and ₹30,000 per fraudulent report, with the final amount depending on negotiations with the clients. This pricing strategy highlights the financial motivation behind the racket and its appeal to those seeking to circumvent legal requirements.
Ongoing Probe and Potential Legal Consequences
While no involvement of Civil Hospital officials from Khanna or Ludhiana has surfaced thus far, SSP Ahluwalia clarified that strict action will be taken if any role is uncovered during the ongoing investigation. Interrogation of the arrested individuals continues as authorities work to identify other members and trace the wider network involved in this fraud. Preliminary investigations suggest that the accused also provided medical certificates to two railway job aspirants, expanding the scope of their illegal services.
Furthermore, applicants who obtained arms licences using these forged reports may face legal consequences, as authorities scrutinize the validity of licences issued based on fraudulent documentation. The police are committed to ensuring that all aspects of this case are thoroughly investigated to prevent such activities in the future and uphold the integrity of medical and licensing processes.
