CBI arrests CGHS Meerut officials, private individual over ₹50 lakh bribe from hospital

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Additional Director Ajay Kumar and Office Superintendent Lavesh Solanki of CGHS Meerut, along with middleman Raees Ahmad, on Tuesday for allegedly demanding a ₹50 lakh bribe from a hospital group to prevent de-empanelment from the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). The arrests followed a complaint filed by the hospital group’s Director of Operations.

According to the complaint, on July 8, 2025, a CGHS Meerut team conducted a surprise inspection at two hospitals run by the group. Following the inspection, official notices were issued highlighting “frivolous deficiencies” in both facilities. The notices allegedly threatened de-empanelment unless the hospitals paid a bribe. De-empanelment would have made the hospitals ineligible to treat patients under the CGHS scheme.

The accused reportedly insisted that the ₹50 lakh bribe be delivered at the earliest to avoid de-empanelment. The officials agreed to accept a partial payment of ₹5 lakh as the first instalment. After this payment was made, the hospital lodged a formal complaint, triggering the CBI investigation.

Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and caught Kumar, Solanki, and Ahmad red-handed while accepting the ₹5 lakh payment. Raids were also conducted at the residences of the accused to recover additional evidence, and the investigation is ongoing.

A CBI spokesperson stated, “Both the accused public servants had insisted on the delivery of bribe amount of ₹50 lakh at the earliest to avoid de-empanelment of the hospitals.” The agency confirmed that further action will be taken based on findings and the case remains under active investigation.