On Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 19 locations across Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh. The targeted premises included those of Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA RS Bali and an individual closely linked to the state’s Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. These raids are part of an investigation into the alleged creation of fake Ayushman Bharat ID cards and violations related to the scheme involving various hospitals.
The ED’s operation spanned five districts in Himachal Pradesh: Kangra, Una, Shimla, Mandi, and Kullu. Among those raided were RS Bali, a Congress MLA representing Nagrota, who also serves as the Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and the Vice Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Board. Additionally, Rajesh Sharma of Shree Balaji Hospital in Kangra, known to be a close associate of the current Chief Minister, was targeted. Both individuals were implicated in the alleged fraud.
The raids are linked to a case involving the generation of fake Ayushman Bharat AB-PMJAY cards. The investigation has revealed that several hospitals, including some prominent ones, have reportedly violated the scheme by generating medical bills on these fraudulent cards, resulting in significant financial losses for both the government and the public.