A cardiologist at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, has been suspended following an inquiry that revealed significant procedural irregularities, including performing advanced cardiac surgeries on nearly half of his patients who did not require them. The Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department initiated action against Dr. Syed Maqbool, an Associate Professor of Cardiology, after an investigation uncovered allegations of fraudulent insurance claims, patient exploitation, and the manipulation of official medical records.
The inquiry, which has brought to light a suspected pacemaker implantation scam involving 103 patients, found that 27 out of 55 patients who underwent the procedure had normal heart function. According to the findings, there was “absolutely no medical reason to perform such procedures” on these individuals. The suspension order, issued by Commissioner/Secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department, M. Raju, stated that Dr. Maqbool is placed under suspension with immediate effect, pending further investigation into his conduct. During this period, he will be attached to the office of GMC Jammu.
Information reaching TahirRihat.com suggests that the State Health Minister, Sakina Itoo, confirmed that the inquiry was prompted by several public complaints. “The government had initiated the inquiry after receiving several complaints so that facts come to the fore. After the inquiry, when certain findings came out, we suspended him. We have asked him to explain his position,” Itoo told reporters in Kulgam. She emphasized the importance of doctors upholding their professional ethics, stating, “I appeal to every doctor not to make compromises with the people’s lives. The government gives you a salary. This job is for the people, to help in patient care.” The Minister assured that the government is actively addressing the situation and that further necessary actions will be taken.
The charges leveled against Dr. Maqbool are extensive and include falsification of records, systemic fraud, exploiting patients, and colluding with private vendors. He is also accused of unauthorized medical interventions and conduct deemed highly unbecoming of a public servant. A specific charge detailed in the department’s memorandum pertains to the booking and claiming of 103 cases under the ‘Dual Chamber Pacemaker Implantation’ package through the Transaction Management System (TMS). However, physical records indicated that Dr. Maqbool had actually performed Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) procedures. This alleged misrepresentation was reportedly intended to siphon public welfare funds from the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT scheme under a false clinical pretext.
The inquiry further revealed that Dr. Maqbool allegedly performed highly advanced and invasive LBBAP procedures on patients without any clinical justification. An independent expert evaluation of 55 suspected LBBAP cases indicated that 27 patients, representing 49 percent, exhibited completely normal left ventricular function and a wide QRS morphology. The Health and Medical Education (HME) memorandum to the cardiologist alleged that these actions demonstrate a complete disregard for patient safety and professional ethics, driven by personal motives. These findings emerged during an expert audit initiated after the State Health Agency observed an unusual surge in LBBAP-related claims from GMC Anantnag in December 2025.
Dr. Maqbool has been directed to submit his written defense within a week, with the understanding that failure to do so will result in disciplinary proceedings being held ex parte. The investigation has also uncovered allegations of direct financial exploitation of PMJAY-SEHAT beneficiaries. The department accused the doctor of violating the ‘cashless and free’ mandate of the scheme by forcing vulnerable patients to incur out-of-pocket expenses for procedures conducted within the government facility. In one cited instance, a patient was allegedly coerced into paying Rs 70,000 to a private company for a procedure. This alleged financial exploitation of public beneficiaries is being termed as severe criminal misconduct.
Furthermore, the inquiry alleges that Dr. Maqbool deliberately bypassed the established institutional supply chain network of GMC Anantnag. Instead of sourcing required medical hardware through the mandatory channels, which include vetting by the PMJAY section, countersignature by the Casualty Medical Officer, and fulfillment by the AMRIT Store, he is accused of illegally collaborating with private external vendors. This action is said to have undermined hospital transparency, quality control, and accountability protocols. The inquiry also noted that mandatory approvals, quality-control safeguards, and procurement protocols were ignored. Crucially, certain procurement records were not made available during the anti-fraud investigation, raising concerns about potential concealment of evidence.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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