Chandigarh, March 18 -- A month after launching an investigation into the Ayushman Bharat scheme fraud at PGIMER, the Chandigarh crime branch has arrested Kapil, a data entry operator at the Himcare counter (for Himachal patients) in Nehru Hospital. Kapil is the first PGIMER insider to be arrested in this case. With this, three persons have been arrested so far.

The fraud surfaced when Balram, another accused, was arrested for fraudulently taking medicines and surgical supplies. During interrogation, he named Kapil, officials said. The police are investigating Kapil's role in manipulating records and facilitating fraudulent withdrawals.

The investigation began after PGIMER security personnel caught 25-year-old Raman from Kangra, HP, on ...