Contract worker accused of siphoning Rs 1.36 crore from Gujarat dental college
A major financial fraud has been uncovered at Gujarat’s Government Dental College and Hospital in Jamnagar, where a contractual employee allegedly siphoned off more than Rs 1.36 crore from the institution’s Patient Welfare Committee fund over the last six months.
The accused, identified as Shobhit Garg, was working under the National Health Mission and has now been arrested by the police following an internal inquiry and audit.
How the fraud was carried out
According to hospital authorities, the Patient Welfare Committee routinely issued cheques to clear operational and departmental expenses.
Investigators said Garg allegedly obtained signatures from authorised officers on official cheques and later manipulated the amounts and beneficiary details before depositing the money into his personal bank account.
An internal audit reportedly found that 15 cheques had been tampered with, leading to the embezzlement of Rs 1,36,19,350.
Scam detected during audit
The fraud came to light during a routine financial audit after officials noticed major discrepancies in the institution’s financial records.
Government Dental College Dean Dr Nayanaben Patel initiated a preliminary internal investigation, which confirmed the alleged embezzlement.
Following the findings, the institution approached the police and filed a formal complaint.
Police investigation underway
The Jamnagar police have registered a case against Garg under charges of fraud, forgery and criminal breach of trust.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Jayveersinh Jhala said investigators are also probing whether other individuals were involved in the scam.
Police are currently examining the accused’s bank accounts and financial transactions as part of the ongoing investigation.
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