The Chhattisgarh High Court has expressed strong displeasure over an affidavit submitted by the state Health and Family Welfare Department in connection with a public interest litigation (PIL) highlighting poor infrastructure and inadequate medical facilities at the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS), Bilaspur.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha observed that large portions of the affidavit appeared repetitive and suggested it may have been prepared using artificial intelligence (AI). The court remarked that while the document looked well-structured, it failed to address the actual conditions prevailing at the government hospital.

The division bench noted that if the hospital's systems were functioning properly, the matter would not have reached the High Court. It cautioned the authorities against presenting paperwork that does not reflect the ground reality and stressed that the court expects factual and transparent submissions rather than attempts to create a misleading impression.

The court also remarked that ensuring proper healthcare facilities for patients should remain the administration's primary objective, adding that timely treatment for those in need would earn genuine public goodwill.

Inspection Reports Highlight Deficiencies

The observations came during the hearing of an ongoing PIL concerning the condition of CIMS. The court referred to inspection reports submitted by court commissioners following visits conducted in March and April this year.

According to the reports, the hospital continues to face significant infrastructure issues. Water leakage was observed in several sections of the building, with portions of the hospital reportedly flooded following recent rains. The commissioners also pointed out that the hospital's fire-fighting system had remained non-functional for an extended period, raising concerns over patient safety.

In response, the state government informed the bench that repair work on the fire safety system had been initiated after work orders were issued on June 15, 2026. Officials submitted that restoration work is currently underway.

Procurement of Medical Equipment Underway

The Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited (CGMSC) also submitted a separate affidavit detailing the procurement status of advanced medical equipment for CIMS.

The affidavit stated that the hospital is in the process of acquiring 31 advanced medical machines. Of these, 13 have already been delivered to the institution. Purchase orders for two additional machines were issued in June, while approvals are being processed for two high-value equipment purchases.

The government further informed the court that two machines are currently undergoing technical demonstrations before financial bids are opened. Evaluation of bids for two other machines is in progress, while bids for six more machines are scheduled to be opened on July 9.

Court Focuses on Better Healthcare

The High Court clarified that the purpose of the proceedings is not to initiate punitive action against officials but to improve healthcare services and infrastructure at CIMS.

The bench observed that court commissioners are free to conduct inspections whenever necessary to verify the implementation of the government's claims. It stressed that improvements must be visible on the ground rather than remaining confined to official records.

The court concluded that patients visiting a government hospital deserve timely treatment, functional equipment and safe infrastructure, emphasizing that meaningful reforms—not paperwork—will ultimately restore public confidence in the healthcare system.

ACB files supplementary chargesheet in ₹550 crore CGMSC medical scam

Anti-Corruption Bureau names four more individuals in the ongoing investigation into inflated medical equipment rates and tender rigging in Chhattisgarh.

RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Friday intensified its crackdown on the multi-crore Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation (CGMSC) scam by filing a supplementary chargesheet against four key individuals. The investigation into the alleged ₹550 crore fraud involves high-level corruption in the procurement of medical reagents and equipment under the state’s ‘Hamar Lab’ scheme.

The chargesheet names Abhishek Kaushal, Director of Recorders & Medicare Systems; Rakesh Jain, Proprietor of Shri Sharda Industries; liaison agent Prince Jain; and Kunjal Sharma, Marketing Head of Diasys India. This development takes the total number of accused against whom chargesheets have been filed to ten.

Cartelization of medical tenders

Investigations conducted by the ACB reveal that three major firms—Mokshit Corporation, Recorders & Medicare Systems, and Shri Sharda Industries—formed a sophisticated syndicate to manipulate the tendering process. By submitting matching product specifications and rates in a coordinated pattern, these companies effectively stifled competition.

Official sources indicated that the firms submitted forged documents to meet eligibility criteria. The syndicate ensured that Mokshit Corporation remained the lowest bidder while other participating firms provided cover bids to validate the process artificially.

Inflated rates bleed exchequer

A significant portion of the ₹550 crore loss to the state exchequer is attributed to the deliberate inflation of Maximum Retail Prices (MRP). Kunjal Sharma of Diasys India is accused of conspiring to submit reagent and consumable prices that were several times higher than the actual market rates.

According to officials, these inflated price lists were approved by CGMSC authorities without proper vetting. This allowed the firms to secure contracts at exorbitant rates, leading to massive financial irregularities in the procurement of essential medical kits.

Massive orders within weeks

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) have previously noted the suspicious speed of these transactions. Documents suggest that CGMSC officials issued orders worth approximately ₹750 crore to Mokshit Corporation within a span of just 27 days.

Notably, these procurements were pushed through despite a lack of immediate demand for the medical equipment. Sources suggested that the specifications in the tender documents were tailored specifically to favor the chosen firms, ensuring that other eligible suppliers were disqualified.

Background of the probe

The massive scam came to light in December 2024, following a formal complaint by former Home Minister Nankiram Kanwar. Kanwar had approached the Prime Minister’s Office and central agencies, including the CBI and ED, alleging systematic looting of public funds within the CGMSC.

Acting on these complaints, the Union Government directed the EOW to initiate a probe. This led to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against five individuals, which has since expanded into a wider investigation involving several bureaucrats and businessmen.

Mastermind in federal custody

The investigation gained significant momentum following the arrest of Shashank Chopra, the promoter of Mokshit Corporation, who is considered the mastermind behind the operation. During his interrogation by the ED, Chopra reportedly named several business associates and officials who provided him with administrative protection.

The officials currently under scrutiny include Dr. Anil Parsai, Deepak Kumar Bandhe, Basant Kumar Kaushik, Kamalkant Patanwar, and Khirod Rautia. These individuals are alleged to have facilitated the scam by bypassing standard procurement protocols.

Impact on healthcare sector

The scam has sparked a massive political row in Chhattisgarh, raising concerns over the integrity of public healthcare procurement. While the ‘Hamar Lab’ scheme was intended to provide affordable diagnostic services to the public, the siphoning of funds has severely impacted the scheme's credibility.

Health sector experts suggest that the ₹550 crore loss represents a missed opportunity to upgrade state-run medical facilities. Public interest groups have called for a complete audit of all medical contracts signed during the period in question.

Future course of action

The ACB has confirmed that the investigation into the CGMSC scam remains open. Further supplementary chargesheets are expected as agencies verify the trail of the misappropriated funds and the involvement of other shell companies used for money laundering.