AIIMS Patna Cashier Arrested Over ₹44.5 Lakh Fraud

Arrest Following Internal Audit Findings

The chief cashier of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Patna, was arrested on Thursday in connection with an alleged fraud and misappropriation of government funds amounting to ₹44.5 lakh. The arrest was made near the AIIMS campus, a day after a formal complaint by the institute’s administration led to the registration of a first information report (FIR).

Charges Filed Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

According to Phulwarisharif police station SHO Gulam Shahbaz Alam, the FIR was lodged under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to fraud, theft, dishonest misappropriation of property, and criminal breach of trust. The accused, identified as Anurag Aman, was taken into custody following preliminary investigations.

Cash Handling Practices Raise Red Flags

Sources familiar with the case revealed that the accused allegedly retained cash collected from patients for up to three days instead of depositing it promptly into the institute’s official account. These irregularities came to light during an internal audit conducted by Piyush Anand, an accounts officer in the billing and registration department. When questioned, the cashier reportedly claimed that the cash was held back to manage potential patient refund requirements.

Lack of Authorization and Missing Funds

The explanation provided by the accused failed to satisfy auditors, as he could not present any formal authorization from a competent authority permitting such cash retention. Additionally, he was unable to immediately account for the funds in question, prompting the accounts officer to escalate the issue to higher authorities within the institute.

Alleged Investment in Stock Market Under Probe

During the inquiry, the accused reportedly indicated that the money had been invested in the stock market. Officials clarified that this claim is currently under investigation and forms part of the broader probe into the alleged misuse of public funds.

Institutional Action and Disciplinary Proceedings

In an official statement, the AIIMS-Patna spokesperson confirmed that an employee had been placed under suspension following prima facie evidence of fund misappropriation. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated in accordance with institutional norms. The spokesperson also noted that while the concerned employee has since returned the disputed amount, this restitution does not impact or halt the ongoing disciplinary process.

Zero-Tolerance Policy on Financial Misconduct

The institute reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on financial irregularities. However, the official statement did not disclose the name of the employee, the specific amount involved, details of the inquiry process, or its expected timeline. It also did not clarify whether the institute itself had lodged a police complaint.

Lack of Response from Senior Officials

AIIMS-Patna did not respond to follow-up questions seeking further clarification on the matter. Additionally, Executive Director Raju Agarwal remained unavailable for comment despite attempts to reach him via WhatsApp and email.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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