New Delhi | March 19, 2026
In a major anti-corruption crackdown, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a retired Army major serving as a medical officer under the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) in Uttar Pradesh’s Etah, along with a senior executive of Felix Hospital, in connection with a ₹3 lakh bribery case.
Trap Operation Leads to Arrest
The arrests were made following a well-planned trap operation conducted on March 15, 2026. According to officials, the accused hospital representative was caught red-handed while delivering the bribe amount to the medical officer. The agency confirmed that ₹3 lakh in cash was recovered during the operation.
Searches Across Multiple Cities
Subsequent searches were carried out at multiple locations, including Noida, Etah, Firozabad, and Farrukhabad. Investigators seized several incriminating documents and digital devices, which are expected to provide further evidence in the case.
Allegations of Illegal Patient Referrals
As per the FIR, the accused medical officer was allegedly involved in a criminal conspiracy to refer patients to the private hospital without valid medical justification. In return, he is accused of regularly demanding and accepting bribes from the hospital authorities.
Bribe Demand Linked to Patient Referrals
The FIR further states that on March 11, 2026, the medical officer informed the hospital executive that he had referred around 10 patients after Holi (March 4) and demanded immediate payment of pending bribe dues. He allegedly asked the executive to meet him in Noida on March 14 to settle the amount.
Bribe Distribution Network Under Scanner
Investigators also revealed that the accused officer allegedly planned to distribute the bribe money among senior officials and other lower-level staff, indicating the possibility of a wider corruption network within the system.
CBI Statement
In an official statement, the CBI said that the arrests were made in a case involving a public servant and a private individual for extending undue favours to an empanelled hospital in exchange for illegal gratification.
The agency is continuing its investigation to identify other individuals who may be involved in the alleged bribery network.
