Odisha police on Tuesday arrested two men from the premises of AIIMS Bhubaneswar for allegedly cheating patients’ families by charging money for free services such as tickets and medical consultations.
The accused, Jiten Sutar of Jajpur district and Bidhan Chalak from West Midnapore, West Bengal, were nabbed by Khandagiri police following a complaint lodged by the hospital’s security department.
According to police, the duo operated as touts, specifically targeting outstation patients unfamiliar with hospital procedures. They posed as insiders or intermediaries, falsely promising quicker access to doctors, tickets, and even insurance services. Victims were convinced to pay for services that are otherwise free or governed by queue-based systems.
Security staff at the hospital grew suspicious of their movements and, after brief surveillance, caught them interacting with multiple patient relatives. During interrogation, both confessed to similar activities over several years.
Charges have been filed under sections related to cheating and impersonation. Authorities are investigating whether more people are involved in the racket.
The arrests come shortly after AIIMS Bhubaneswar was ranked second-best emerging medical college in India by India Today and MDRA. In the wake of the incident, hospital security has been further strengthened. Police patrols in and around the hospital have also increased to deter repeat offenses.
Hospital authorities have promised stricter oversight and public awareness efforts to prevent such exploitation in future.
