Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have suspended a senior cardiologist, Dr. Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah, an Associate Professor of Cardiology at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag, following an investigation that uncovered alleged gross abuse of official position and serious medical malpractice. The suspension comes as the Health Department initiates departmental proceedings against the doctor.
The memorandum detailing the accusations, a copy of which was obtained by TahirRihat.com, outlines that Dr. Shah is accused of performing highly advanced and invasive Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) procedures without adequate clinical justification. The order of suspension stated, “Pending enquiry into his conduct, Dr Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah is hereby placed under suspension. During the period of suspension, he shall remain attached to the office of Government Medical College, Jammu.”
Investigators have leveled charges of serious data falsification and financial fraud against Dr. Shah during his tenure at Anantnag GMC. An independent expert evaluation of 55 LBBAP cases reviewed revealed that a significant portion, 27 patients or 49%, had completely normal left ventricular function. This finding strongly suggests that the procedures were unnecessary and performed in disregard for patient safety and professional ethics, according to the report.
Further allegations indicate that Dr. Shah may have violated the “cashless and free” mandate of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) SEHAT scheme. The report claims he coerced vulnerable patients into paying out-of-pocket expenses for procedures that should have been covered under the government scheme and conducted within a government facility.
The State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) reportedly received multiple alerts concerning suspected patient payments, prompting a preliminary desk audit of the Transaction Management System (TMS) data. This audit flagged 103 cardiac cases that were blocked under the Dual Chamber Pacemaker package (Code: MCO16A), raising significant concerns about potential misrepresentation of services rendered.
Technical experts at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, have concluded that Dr. Shah engaged in “flagrant procedural misrepresentation.” The experts allege that he logged false descriptions in the TMS system, bypassed the government supply chain, and extorted money from patients who were entitled to free healthcare services. The memorandum explicitly states, “By these acts and omissions, you have exhibited conduct unbecoming of a government servant, failed to maintain devotion to duty, and committed grave misconduct warranting disciplinary action, including termination from service.”
The government has formally proposed to initiate departmental proceedings against Dr. Shah and has requested him to submit a written statement of defense to the Health and Medical Education Department within seven days of receiving the memorandum. He has also been asked to indicate whether he wishes to be heard in person regarding the charges.
In response to the allegations, Dr. Maqbool has rejected the claims made against him in the departmental memorandum. He stated, “Reply has been submitted to every allegation and we have full faith in the system.” The outcome of the ongoing inquiry is anticipated to shed further light on the extent of the alleged malpractice and its impact on patient care and public trust in the healthcare system of Jammu and Kashmir.
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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