Srinagar

A departmental investigation by the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education (HME) Department has uncovered alleged large-scale irregularities in cardiac procedures carried out at Government Medical College (GMC), Anantnag, revealing that many patients underwent advanced heart interventions despite having no medical necessity for them.

The inquiry, centred on an alleged pacemaker implantation scam involving 103 patients, found that nearly half of the cases reviewed showed no clinical justification for the procedures performed. The investigation has placed cardiologist Dr Syed Maqbool under scrutiny for alleged manipulation of medical records, fraudulent insurance claims, patient exploitation and unauthorised medical interventions.

According to the findings, an expert review of 55 suspected cases revealed that 27 patients—approximately 49 per cent—had normal heart function and did not require the advanced procedures they received.

The department has accused the doctor of falsifying records and misrepresenting procedures performed under the PMJAY-SEHAT health insurance scheme. Officials alleged that while claims were submitted under the category of Dual Chamber Pacemaker Implantation, medical records indicated that Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) procedures had actually been carried out.

The inquiry report stated that 103 cases were registered on the Transaction Management System (TMS) under the pacemaker package, while physical documentation suggested a different procedure was performed. Authorities allege that this discrepancy enabled wrongful claims under a government-funded health programme.

The investigation began after the State Health Agency (SHA) noticed an unusual increase in LBBAP-related claims from GMC Anantnag in late 2025. Subsequently, the State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) conducted an unannounced inspection of the institution and reviewed medical records, procurement procedures and financial transactions.

The probe also uncovered allegations that beneficiaries of the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme, which guarantees cashless treatment, were forced to bear treatment expenses. In one cited case, a patient reportedly paid ₹70,000 directly to a private company despite being entitled to free medical care under the scheme.

Investigators further alleged that mandatory procurement procedures were bypassed. Instead of obtaining medical devices through approved institutional channels, the accused doctor allegedly sourced hardware directly from private vendors. The report claims that some procurement records were unavailable during the investigation, raising concerns about possible suppression of evidence.

A detailed audit comparing online claims with physical procedure registers found repeated inconsistencies. Experts from the Department of Cardiology at SKIMS, Srinagar, who reviewed the cases, concluded that many of the procedures lacked medical justification and that claims submitted under government insurance packages were misleading.

The expert panel reportedly determined that there was no valid clinical reason to perform advanced pacing procedures on 27 of the examined patients, leading the State Health Agency to reject the related claims.

The HME Department has served a memorandum to Dr Maqbool, directing him to submit a written explanation within one week. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary proceedings being conducted in his absence.

The memorandum alleges violations ranging from professional misconduct and medical malpractice to financial irregularities and abuse of official position. It also accuses the doctor of conduct unbecoming of a government servant and failure to discharge duties responsibly.

Based on the inquiry findings, the government has initiated steps to begin formal departmental proceedings under the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. Officials indicated that the allegations, if proven, could attract severe disciplinary action, including dismissal from service.

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The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining the extent of the alleged irregularities and any possible involvement of other individuals or entities.