The Ahmedabad Crime Branch is conducting a thorough investigation into three registered cases of alleged medical fraud and subsequent deaths of two patients under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) at Khyati Multispecialty Hospital.
The probe, led by senior officers, has already led to significant arrests, including the apprehension of one of the key suspects, Dr Sanjay Patolia.
Dr Sanjay Patolia, a suspect who had been evading arrest, has been apprehended. He was located near the Gota area based on information obtained through a combination of human intelligence, technical surveillance and assistance from cyber experts.
During the initial interrogation, he revealed his extensive medical background and involvement in Khyati Hospital.
Who is Dr Sanjay Patolia?
He is the founder of Asian Bariatrics Hospital and became involved in the top board of Khyati Hospital in 2021, bringing in new partners Kartik Patel (Owner of Khyati Group), Pradeep Kothari (Promoter) and Chirag Rajput (CEO).
As one of the directors of Khyati Hospital, Dr Patolia made all critical decisions related to patient care, the establishment of new medical departments and the recruitment of doctors.
His medical career began in 1999 as an Associate Professor at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Medical College, Rajkot, where he worked until 2002.
From 2002 to 2003, he served as a full-time surgeon at PadmaKuvarba Hospital in Rajkot. He continued his surgical practice at Sardar Patel Hospital from 2003 to 2006. In 2006, he co-founded City Hospital with two other doctors, which later became New Life Hospital.
In 2012, he partnered with Dr Mahendra Narwaria and Dr Manish Khetan to establish Asian Bariatrics Hospital, later known as Ahmedabad Bariatrics & Cosmetic Pvt Ltd. From 2012 to 2014, Dr Patolia visited Asian Bariatrics Hospital in Ahmedabad for one to two days a week while continuing his practice in Rajkot. In 2014, he transitioned to working full-time at Asian Bariatrics Hospital.
In 2016, Dr Manish Khetan left the partnership and in 2021, new partners Kartik Patel, Pradeep Kothari and Chirag Rajput joined the venture.
Dr Patolia currently serves as a full-time bariatric surgeon at Khyati Hospital, while his wife, Dr Hetal Patolia, is a full-time gynaecologist at the same hospital.
Where Did He Go After Incident?
Following the incident at Khyati Hospital, Dr Patolia travelled to Rajkot and stayed overnight at New Life Hospital on November 12, 2024. Upon learning that a case had been registered against him on November 13, 2024, he switched off his mobile phone and travelled to Udaipur.
To evade arrest, he continued his travels through Nathdwara, Ajmer, Pali, Jaipur and Delhi, staying in various hotels overnight.
Opposition Demands CBI Probe
Gujarat Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged scam at Khyati Multispecialty Hospital.
Gohil highlighted the hospital’s exploitation of the PM-JAY scheme, which provides free healthcare to economically vulnerable citizens.
Gohil accused the hospital of organising free medical camps in rural areas to attract poor patients under the guise of providing essential healthcare.
Many of these patients, who did not require treatment, were falsely diagnosed with severe cardiac conditions and subjected to unnecessary angiographies and angioplasties. The hospital then claimed reimbursements from the government under the PM-JAY scheme.
“Under a well-planned conspiracy, poor patients were falsely diagnosed with heart issues and pressured into undergoing unnecessary procedures at Khyati Hospital. Tragically, two patients lost their lives following the procedures, and several others have been admitted to the ICU with serious complications,” Gohil alleged.
Nine individuals have been arrested so far, including the hospital’s CEO, Chirag Rajput and administrator Rahul Jain. Others arrested include Milind Patel, Pankil Patel and Pratik Bhatt, who played key roles in organising the fraudulent medical camps and referring patients to the hospital.
The police are also scrutinising the role of PM-JAY officials in approving fraudulent claims submitted by Khyati Hospital.
While Dr Sanjay Patolia has been apprehended, the investigation faces a significant challenge as Kartik Patel, the hospital’s owner and the prime suspect in the case, remains at large. According to senior police officers, Kartik Patel fled to Australia on November 3, 2024 and subsequently travelled to Dubai. Efforts are being made to locate him and bring him back to India.
The Crime Branch investigation is ongoing, with further arrests and revelations expected in the coming days.
Also Read: Gujarat Congress Prez Shaktisinh Gohil Demands CBI Probe into Alleged Fraud at Khyati Hospital
