Vigilance Bureau busts test report racket; 5 doctors booked

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 24

The Vigilance Bureau has booked five doctors and a hospital owner on charges of murder bid, fraud, criminal conspiracy and corruption. They are accused of fleecing patients by issuing “wrong” Covid-positive reports.

The bureau found at least seven persons, including a pregnant woman doctor, who were issued wrong reports of Covid infection. It also hinted at involvement of government officials and health staff in the racket. SSP (Vigilance) Parampal Singh said the matter was under investigation.

Those booked were Dr Mohinder Singh, Dr Ridhum Tuli, Dr Sanjay Piplani, Dr Robin Tuli (all from Tuli Diagnostic Centre), Pawan Arora (EMC Hospital owner) and Dr Pankaj Soni of EMC Hospital.

The controversy erupted after five Amritsar residents, including the pregnant woman doctor, were diagnosed Covid-positive following tests at Tuli Diagnostic Centre located on the Majitha road here. However, they tested negative when re-tests were conducted at Government Medical College’s (GMC) viral research and diagnostic laboratory.

Sources said the accused used to target rich people, including NRIs. They deliberately used to give positive reports with the sole motive of extracting money in the name of Covid treatment, sources added.

Vigilance sleuths said such persons were admitted to the isolation ward where Covid patients were under treatment. Three patients reportedly contracted infection due to that reason. Tuli Diagnostic Centre owner Dr Rohan Tuli and EMC Hospital owner Pawan Arora could not be contacted for comment despite repeated attempts.