A ₹100-crore alleged scam has come to light in Shahjahanpur’s health department, following a preliminary inquiry ordered by the district magistrate (DM), Dharmendra Pratap Singh. The DM has written to the state government, requesting a formal investigation into the matter after several layers of discrepancies were uncovered.
The inquiry, led by Chief Development Officer (CDO) Aparajita Singh Sinsinwar, was initiated after the DM received complaints regarding irregularities in the health department’s operations. During the investigation, Sinsinwar and her team discovered numerous irregularities, prompting the formation of a four-member panel to further probe the matter. The panel includes the Additional District Magistrate and other senior officials.
According to the DM, the alleged scam spans a period of three years and involves two former chief medical officers (CMOs), one acting CMO, and five other officials within the department. The findings indicate widespread financial misconduct, including inflated procurement prices and fraudulent stockpiling of medical supplies.
One of the most shocking discoveries was the purchase of stethoscopes that were priced at ₹350 each in the market but were bought for ₹1,500 per unit by the health department. Thousands of such units were found in the department’s warehouses. Additionally, 86 sub-centres, which were listed in official records, were found to exist only on paper, raising serious concerns about ghost facilities in the system.
The ongoing investigation has revealed irregularities involving several crores of rupees, even though only 12 files have been reviewed so far. Authorities have sealed nine warehouses, including those in Dadraul and the old district hospital, where large quantities of unused and unnecessary medical equipment were found. Some of these items were procured in bulk, far exceeding the actual needs of the department.
Based on these findings, the DM has requested the state government to initiate a comprehensive state-level investigation into the matter. The suspected scam is estimated to exceed ₹100 crore, and authorities are taking immediate action to uncover the full extent of the financial misconduct.
The health department’s operations in Shahjahanpur have now come under intense scrutiny, with local officials calling for accountability and transparency. The investigation is expected to continue as more documents and irregularities are reviewed. The district administration’s swift response aims to ensure justice and prevent similar instances of corruption in the future.
Sources By Agencies
