Delhi: MCD 'mali' arrested for duping patients on CM's letterhead
What's the story
A 27-year-old gardener, Sonu, was arrested on October 30 for allegedly duping patients in Delhi. The accused was caught after Maharaja Agrasen Hospital officials emailed the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) to verify a letter recommending free treatment for a patient under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) scheme. The hospital had received a call from someone claiming to be Balbir Singh Rathee from the CMO, asking them to proceed with treatment.
Investigation details
Letter had forged signatures of top officials
The hospital authorities grew suspicious of the letter as it had spelling errors, different fonts, and misalignment. According to PTI, Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said the letter had forged signatures of top officials at the CM office. After verifying with the CMO, an Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister SC Vashishtha filed a complaint at Civil Lines police station.
Arrest details
Police traced Sonu through mobile numbers
During the investigation, the police questioned Shyam Shankar, the patient who received free treatment. He revealed that his wife Anju, got the letter from Sonu. The police traced the mobile numbers used by the caller to the Karol Bagh area, where Sonu worked as a contractual mali in the MCD office. A raid on October 29 led to his escape, but he was later arrested from Tagore Garden with a motorcycle having fake registration plates.
Background information
Sonu confessed to crime
During interrogation, Sonu confessed to finding an original CM Office letter in the MCD's dak section months ago and using it for forgery. He targeted patients outside private hospitals who couldn't afford treatment, promising them free admission under the EWS scheme for ₹5,000 per case. Items recovered from him included forged letters, an original letterhead, a fake MCD identity card, and a Haryana government ID card.