Delhi Lt Governor recommends CBI probe into ‘fake lab tests’ in mohalla clinics

New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Thursday recommended a probe by the CBI into the investigations of alleged fake pathology and radiology tests in the mohalla clinics in the national capital under the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.

It is alleged that “lakhs of tests” were done on ghost patients to help private labs in the city.

According to sources in the Lieutenant Governor’s office, payments were made to private labs under the guise of fake tests, indicating an alleged scam “running into hundreds of crores at the expense of the poorest residents in Delhi”.

Sources from the Lieutenant Governor’s office also alleged that unauthorised/non-medical staff prescribed tests and medicines to patients in the absence of doctors, who had been marking attendance through pre-recorded videos.

The report from the health department, submitted to the Lieutenant Governor, also mentioned that fake mobile numbers were used for the registration of patients and lab tests that were supposedly conducted on them.

Additionally, there was duplication of mobile numbers. The accessed data revealed that fake lab tests were carried out at these mohalla clinics, sources said.

They added that the Lieutenant Governor ordered a CBI probe after “grave fraudulent practices” were discovered in mohalla clinics.

Reacting to the development, Delhi BJP leader Harish Khurana said, “After a fake medicine scam, now another scam of fake lab tests at mohalla clinics has surfaced. AAP leaders are embroiled in corruption in all the departments of Delhi government. It is highly condemnable that AAP leaders are playing with the lives of poor residents of Delhi.”

“I demand Arvind Kejriwal to break his silence and sack Saurabh Bhardwaj because this cannot be tolerated at any cost,” he added.

Sources within the Delhi government have indicated that they have taken note of the CBI enquiry recommended by the Lieutenant Governor. The government is likely to recommend the suspension of the Delhi Health Secretary.