Himachal Pradesh: ED Conducts Searches At Congress Leaders' Premises In Fake Ayushman Bharat Cards Scam

On Wednesday (31 July), the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at premises linked to Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA R S Bali and Congress leader from Kangra, Dr Rajesh Sharma.

This action is part of an investigation into the alleged production of fake Ayushman Bharat ID cards, which has caused massive losses to the state exchequer.

According to a report from The Indian Express, the searches were carried out at multiple locations across states including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, and Delhi.

Among the premises searched were Fortis Hospital in Kangra, promoted by Bali’s company Himachal Healthcare Pvt Ltd., and Balaji Hospital in Kangra, promoted by Sharma.

Multiple ED teams, along with paramilitary personnel, began searching the hospitals early Wednesday morning, reportedly examining electronic devices such as desktops.

Bali, in a post on Facebook stated, “I want to inform you that on 29 July, I went out for two days with my family during my son Riyan’s vacation, and I just learned that some officials came to my residence Mazdoor Kutiyya. I am returning with my family. We respect the investigation agencies and will fully cooperate with them. I request my Nagrota Bagwan family and everyone connected with us in the state not to worry. When you live a political life, you sometimes have to face such situations.”

The ED's money laundering case stems from a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Himachal Pradesh Vigilance Bureau in January 2023 against a private hospital, Shri Banke Bihari Healthcare Hospital, in Una district regarding fake Ayushman Bharat cards.