The deputy CEO of the Ayushman Bharat initiative, Dr. Ravi Vimal, was the subject of a corruption probe that saw a major development on Friday by the Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Following Dr. Vimal’s arrest for allegedly accepting a ₹5 lakh bribe, the CBI seized ₹1.02 crore from his Amravati, Panchkula, home. According to reports, this money was demanded in return for a hospital that was embanelled under the Ayushman Bharat program—which offers health insurance to millions of Indians—having its suspension lifted.
The proprietor of a private hospital in Karnal filed a complaint, which prompted the ACB to launch an inquiry. Dr. Vimal allegedly asked for ₹10 lakh in exchange for lifting the hospital’s ban from the Ayushman Bharat programme, according to the hospital’s owner. After discussions, the bribe was agreed upon at ₹5 lakh, which resulted in Dr. Vimal being apprehended “red-handed” in the transaction.
Following his detention, the ACB moved quickly to produce Dr. Vimal in a local court and put him under police remand for four days so that he could be questioned further. During a search of Dr. Vimal’s residence, the Karnal ACB team discovered a sizeable sum of ₹1.02 crore. This begs important questions about where the money came from and if it has anything to do with unethical behavior involving his official position. Dr. Vimal is presently being questioned by ACB officials in an effort to find out where this cash hoard originated and whether any other people may be connected to the case.
In order to fully understand the extent of the alleged wrongdoing, officials are investigating a number of different fronts in this multifaceted inquiry. Given that Dr. Vimal had a significant position within the Ayushman Bharat system, which is critical for providing essential healthcare services, the repercussions of his conduct could be far-reaching. The case serves as a reminder of the persistent problems with corruption in public health systems and the necessity of strict control to guarantee the quality of services that millions of people depend on.
This episode demonstrates the ACB’s dedication to combating corruption in Haryana, especially in areas that have an influence on the general welfare. The ACB seeks to protect the values of accountability and openness in government programs by vigorously addressing such accusations and making sure that services meant for the general public are not jeopardized by unethical behavior. The findings of this inquiry may prompt more extensive changes to the Ayushman Bharat program and act as a deterrent to anyone who would try to take advantage of public resources for private gain.
SOURCE :
HINDUSTAN TIMES
