Doctor Accused in PMJAY Controversy Counters Charges, Says Evidence Has Been Submitted

Srinagar, June 20: Cardiologist Dr Syed Maqbool has strongly rejected allegations levelled against him in a departmental memorandum, terming the accusations “fabricated” and asserting that the matter remains under inquiry with no findings having been established so far.
Dr Maqbool said the contents circulating in sections of the media were being portrayed out of context and did not reflect the complete picture of the case.
“What is being circulated in the media is totally different from the actual report. People are treating a memorandum of allegations as a final verdict, which is not correct,” he said.
Dr Maqbool maintained that Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has already submitted a detailed response to the queries raised by the authorities and that the inquiry committee is presently examining the material placed before it.
“We have replied to every allegation with documentary evidence. The matter is under consideration and we have full faith in the system. Justice will ultimately prevail,” he said.
Appealing against what he described as premature conclusions, the cardiologist urged people to allow the inquiry process to run its course.
“Let us not jump to conclusions and make a mountain out of a molehill. An inquiry is meant to establish facts, not to pronounce guilt before the process is complete,” he said.
Meanwhile, noted medico and health activist Dr Mohammad Momin Khan also cautioned against treating allegations as proof of wrongdoing.
“An inquiry is meant to establish facts, not deliver a verdict. Unfortunately, allegations often lead to instant public judgment, with reputations being damaged long before any investigation is completed. Due process exists to ensure fairness, and no individual should be declared guilty until the truth is established through a proper inquiry,” he said.
Dr Momin described Dr Maqbool as one of the Valley’s prominent cardiologists and said that over the years he had treated thousands of patients, including many from economically weaker sections.
“If any wrongdoing is ultimately established, accountability must follow. But until then, fairness demands restraint and respect for due process,” he added.
Notably, the controversy stems from a departmental memorandum against Dr. Syed Maqbool, a cardiologist at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag. The memorandum accuses him of misrepresenting cardiac procedures under the PMJAY-SEHAT scheme, generating wrongful claims, bypassing official procurement channels and subjecting several patients to procedures that an expert audit later found lacked medical justification. The department has recommended major disciplinary action, including termination from service. Dr. Maqbool, however, has rejected the allegations and says the inquiry process is still underway.[KNT]