The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Nagpur has exposed a sophisticated scheme involving fraudulent medical billing within Western Coalfields Limited (WCL). An FIR has been filed naming Dr. Prithvi Krishna Patta, the Medical Superintendent of WCL, along with the owner of Sadguru Medical — a chemist shop empanelled under WCL’s medical scheme.
According to sources, the scam centers on manipulated medicine invoices submitted under WCL’s cashless medical facility for employees. While Dr. Prithvi is said to have legitimately prescribed medicines, the bills reportedly included high-cost drugs that were never purchased by the patients. These inflated invoices were then processed and cleared by WCL. Early audits of sample bills reveal many passed through Sadguru Medical. “It appears Dr. Prithvi and the chemist conspired to attach costly medicines to prescriptions that were already authorized, thereby inflating the total bill,” a CBI official stated.
Following the FIR registration, CBI teams raided multiple locations in Nagpur and Hyderabad, including Dr. Prithvi’s home and workplace. A large volume of documents and digital data has been secured for forensic analysis.
Investigators suspect the fraud may span beyond these two actors — possibly implicating other empanelled chemists and internal officials. The agency has also launched a probe into the WCL Medical Department’s oversight systems, probing potential negligence or willful complicity. “What we have found so far is just a fragment of what could be a more extensive network. All involved — direct or indirect — will be pursued vigorously,” the source added.
This revelation raises serious concerns about the credibility of WCL’s medical reimbursement framework and spotlights the urgency of robust validation mechanisms. The inquiry remains active and is expected to widen in scope.
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