The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Chandigarh, has registered an FIR against V K Neurocare & Trauma Research Hospital, Hisar, its management and representatives, “unknown” officials of the Regional Center, Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Hisar, unknown officials of ECHS Polyclinic, Hisar, and other public and private persons for allegedly coercing admission of patients by threatening denial of treatment to inflate bills and causing loss to government exchequer.The FIR mentioned that besides VK Neurocare and Trauma Research Hospital, Hisar, the role of four more hospitals — Advanta Superspecialty Hospital, Rohtak; Care Pathlab, Rishi Nagar, Hisar; Navjeevan Hospital, Hisar; and Dr. Sharma’s Eye Care and Lasik Centre, Fatehabad, “shall be looked into/examined during the course of investigation.Modus OperandiThe FIR dated April 29 revealed a well-organised modus operandi wherein, during the period 2023 to 2025, ECHS beneficiaries were issued OPD referrals from ECHS Polyclinic, Hisar, clearly indicating that admission was “not required” or meant only for OPD treatment.The preliminary enquiry by the CBI found that however, V K Neurocare & Trauma Research Hospital, Hisar, in connivance with ECHS, Polyclinic Hisar, “dishonestly admitted such patients/beneficiaries without obtaining mandatory IPD referral or emergency approval.”It added, “The patients/beneficiaries were coerced into admission by threatening denial of treatment or financial burden in case of refusal. They were unnecessarily detained in the hospital to inflate billing amounts.”It also came out that in several cases, the patients/beneficiaries were allegedly discharged earlier, but in the medical record, they were shown as admitted to inflate the bill amounts.The enquiry revealed that “referral documents were found subsequently manipulated by altering remarks from “NO” to “YES” to falsely justify admissions. It added that “fake and inflated bills were generated and submitted by the V K Neurocare & Trauma Research Hospital, Hisar,” and “were processed, validated, recommended and approved by concerned officials” of Regional Centre, ECHS, Hisar, “despite glaring deficiencies and violations of prescribed norms.”During the enquiry, multiple specific instances were identified wherein patients were forcibly admitted without valid authorisation, and false claims were raised and amounts were credited in the account of V K Neurocare & Trauma Research Hospital, Hisar, and thereby caused wrongful loss to the government exchequer and wrongful gain to themselves, mentioned the enquiry.Forgery and fabrication of medical records, and backdating of documents to support fraudulent medical claims was also revealed in the CBI enquiry.Role of ECHS officialsThe enquiry as mentioned with the FIR said that the “officials of RC (Regional Centre), ECHS Hisar and ECHS Polyclinics were connived with each other and in pursuance of the same, the officials of RC, ECHS, Hisar, deliberately did not comply with the norms/guidelines of ECHS and dishonestly processed the bills/claims and approved the same.”Further, personnel associated with the Bill Procession Agency (BPA) portal neglected mandatory checks and facilitated processing of fake claims without due diligence, added the enquiry.Other hospitals under scannerAccording to the CBI enquiry, Advanta Superspecialty Hospital, Rohtak, manipulated the medical records and claimed bogus medical reimbursement. “Care Pathlab, Rishi Nagar, Hisar, is suspected to have conducted fake diagnostic tests in collusion with hospitals,” added the enquiry.“Also, the involvement of Navjeevan Multispecialty Hospital (a unit of Ashirwad Healthcare Pvt. Ltd.), Hisar, and allegations regarding Dr Sharma’s Eye Care and Lasik Centre, Fatehabad, in relation to empanelment irregularities also require investigation,” said the CBI enquiry.Based on the CBI enquiry, the FIR for cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy was registered.