In a significant crackdown on corruption within a flagship health scheme, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajasthan has apprehended a private doctor from Bhilwara. The arrest was made on Monday evening while the medical professional was allegedly caught red-handed accepting a hefty bribe.
The Trap and Arrest
Dr Pankaj Chhipa, a doctor associated with Siddhivinayak Hospital in Bhilwara, was arrested by the Ajmer unit of the ACB. The arrest followed a meticulously planned trap after the bureau received a formal complaint. Officials stated that Dr Chhipa was caught in the act of accepting Rs 11 lakh as a bribe. This amount was part of a larger demand he had made from the hospital's management.
According to the ACB's investigation, the doctor had initially demanded a sum of Rs 14 lakh from the hospital operator. His demand was linked to the clearance of pending bill reimbursements under the state government's Chief Minister Ayushman Arogya Yojana. He reportedly threatened that failure to pay the money would result in the hospital being de-panelled from the beneficial scheme, cutting off a crucial revenue stream.
The Corruption Nexus in Ayushman Bills
The case reveals a troubling exploitation of a public welfare scheme. Siddhivinayak Hospital provides treatment to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Yojana and subsequently submits its bills for reimbursement to the state-appointed nodal agency, the National Insurance Company. During a routine scrutiny process, certain irregularities were flagged in the hospital's submitted bills. A warning was issued about possible de-panelment if these issues were not rectified.
It was at this juncture that Dr Chhipa allegedly saw an opportunity. He approached the hospital operator, offering to use his influence to ensure the bills were approved and the hospital's empanelment continued. For this "service," he demanded the bribe, which was later negotiated down to Rs 11 lakh. The ACB, acting swiftly on the complaint, laid a trap and apprehended him during the physical handover of the cash.
Legal Action and Ongoing Probe
The ACB has registered a formal case against Dr Pankaj Chhipa under the stringent Prevention of Corruption Act. The accused was arrested on the spot, and the marked currency notes were recovered as evidence. Officials have confirmed that a thorough investigation is currently underway to uncover any further links or similar instances of corruption.
This incident casts a shadow over the implementation of health welfare schemes and highlights the vulnerabilities that can be exploited by unscrupulous individuals. The arrest sends a strong message about the authorities' commitment to rooting out corruption, even within systems designed for public good. The probe will now examine the details of the bill irregularities and the doctor's exact role in the approval process.
