Bathinda, July 1 -- A major case of alleged financial misconduct surfaced in Bathinda after a complaint was received about the theft of hospital funds meant for ambulance fuel, Deputy Commissioner Showkat Ahmad Parray confirmed on Tuesday.

Following a detailed inquiry, the then Senior Medical Officer (SMO) was suspended, along with an assistant and a data entry operator.

The incident came to light when discrepancies in fund allocation and fuel usage were noticed. "We received a complaint regarding the theft of a hospital's money. It was allegedly done with the funds allotted for the ambulance fuel," said Parray told ANI.

In response, the Health Secretary formed a committee to investigate the issue thoroughly.

Initially, the SMO was tr...