Ahmedabad: Two weeks after the deaths of two PMJAY beneficiaries following alleged “unnecessary angioplasty” surgeries at Khyati Multispeciality Hospital in Ahmedabad on November 11, the Ahmedabad City Police’s Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) is awaiting an expert committee report from cardiologists appointed by the health department to advance its investigation.
The report will assess complaints filed on November 20 at Vastrapur police station regarding 13 medical camps organized by the hospital in nearby villages within a short span. Meanwhile, while four hospital directors remain absconding, visiting cardiologist Dr. Prashant Vazirani, the fifth accused, has been sent to judicial custody after his police remand ended on Monday.
New Complaints Filed
- Case 1: Sureshkumar Lakshman Thakor of Waghroda village in Kadi taluka, Mehsana, reported that Khyati Hospital conducted a camp in his village on October 10. His 85-year-old grandfather, diagnosed with blocked arteries, underwent angioplasty at the Ahmedabad hospital and passed away on October 15.
- Case 2: Jitendra Mulji Chavda from Khavad village, Kadi, Mehsana, stated that his parents, aged 85 and 80, were advised angioplasties at a medical camp held on March 5, 2023. Both underwent the procedures at the hospital on March 6 and were discharged the next day. On March 20, Jitendra’s father developed chest pain, was admitted to another hospital, and died on March 23, 2023.
- Case 3: Lakshmi from Vinayakpura village, Kadi, Mehsana, alleged that her 75-year-old husband, Ganpat Chhagan Vanand, was diagnosed with blocked arteries during a camp on October 6. He underwent angiography and angioplasty at the Ahmedabad hospital but deteriorated while still under treatment. He was referred to another hospital, where he passed away on November 4.
All three complainants claim the procedures were fraudulent and conducted under the PMJAY scheme.
Awaiting Health Department Report
The Crime Branch has not yet acted on these complaints, pending an inquiry by the health department. Joint Commissioner of Police (JCP) Crime, Sharad Singhal, explained, “In cases involving medical negligence, prosecution requires a written report from the health department confirming that the acts committed by the doctor and Khyati Hospital amount to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. As per a 2023 Supreme Court judgment, such cases must be preceded by a specialist inquiry. We have written to the health department and are awaiting their report.”