A senior cardiologist at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir is facing disciplinary proceedings after an official audit and expert review allegedly found that advanced cardiac procedures were performed on several patients who had normal heart function and may not have met accepted clinical criteria for the intervention.
According to reports by the Greater Jammu, the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has initiated proceedings against Dr. Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology at GMC Anantnag. The action follows an inquiry into claims submitted under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) SEHAT Scheme, which investigators allege may have involved medically unjustified procedures and procedural irregularities.
According to official documents cited by multiple media reports, Dr. Shah has been served a charge sheet and directed to submit a written response within seven days. Authorities stated that failure to respond could result in ex parte proceedings under the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.
According to The Hindu, the Jammu and Kashmir government has also placed Dr. Shah under suspension pending completion of the inquiry. Authorities stated that the suspension was part of the disciplinary process initiated following the audit findings.
The inquiry reportedly began after the State Health Agency (SHA), Jammu and Kashmir, observed an unusual rise in claims linked to Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP) procedures under the PM-JAY SEHAT scheme in December 2025.
PM-JAY includes anti-fraud monitoring mechanisms that review unusual claim patterns and investigate potential misuse of government healthcare funds. The scheme's anti-fraud framework is supported by National and State Anti-Fraud Units that examine suspicious claims and procedural irregularities.
To examine the claims, the State Anti-Fraud Unit (SAFU) conducted an unannounced inspection at GMC Anantnag on December 19, 2025. During the inspection, investigators reviewed records and interacted with hospital officials, including the Medical Superintendent, Cath Lab In-charge, Accounts Section personnel, and the AMRIT Store In-charge.
The audit reportedly found that reimbursement claims had been submitted for 103 patients under package code MC016A (Dual Chamber Pacemaker Implantation) through the Transaction Management System (TMS).
The audit examined claims submitted for 103 patients under the PM-JAY SEHAT scheme, while the subsequent SKIMS expert review evaluated 55 cases as part of the investigation.
However, investigators alleged that records showed many of these patients had actually undergone Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing (LBBAP), an advanced cardiac pacing technique.
Following the preliminary audit, the State Health Agency referred the matter to experts at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, for an independent assessment.
The SKIMS expert panel reviewed 55 patient cases and reportedly concluded that 27 patients, representing nearly 49 percent of the reviewed cases, had normal cardiac function and did not satisfy accepted indications for LBBAP.
LBBAP is generally considered in selected patients requiring permanent pacing, particularly when maintaining physiological ventricular activation is important. The presence of normal cardiac function alone does not automatically determine eligibility for the procedure. However, according to the inquiry findings, investigators alleged that the available records did not adequately document accepted clinical indications in these cases.¹
According to the inquiry findings, the available clinical records did not demonstrate sufficient justification for the procedure in these cases. Investigators subsequently questioned whether the interventions were medically necessary and whether the associated reimbursement claims accurately reflected the clinical circumstances.
A 2021 review published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine described Left Bundle Branch Pacing (LBBP) as a promising physiologic pacing strategy with high procedural success rates, stable pacing performance, and potential benefits for preserving ventricular synchrony, while noting that additional long-term evidence is needed to further establish its clinical outcomes.¹
Early studies reported high success rates, stable pacing performance, and potential benefits for maintaining synchronized heart function, though researchers noted that further long-term evidence is needed.
Investigators have alleged discrepancies between procedures performed and reimbursement claims submitted under the PM-JAY SEHAT scheme.
According to the audit, claims were reportedly generated under the package for dual-chamber pacemaker implantation while medical records indicated that LBBAP procedures had been performed. Authorities are examining whether the claims complied with PM-JAY guidelines and whether government funds were utilized appropriately.
The inquiry is examining both the clinical justification for the procedures and the use of public funds claimed under the government-funded PM-JAY SEHAT scheme.
As part of the investigation, officials have reviewed cath lab records, patient case sheets, ECG findings, echocardiography reports, operation records, billing documents, procurement files, and digital claim submissions.
One of the most serious allegations in the inquiry concerns payments reportedly collected from beneficiaries entitled to free treatment under the PM-JAY SEHAT scheme.
The investigation specifically cited the case of Peer Rafiq Ahmad, who allegedly paid ₹70,000 to a private vendor in connection with a cardiac procedure despite being covered under the government-funded cashless healthcare program.
Authorities are examining whether the payment violated PM-JAY rules and whether beneficiaries were subjected to out-of-pocket expenses that should have been covered under the scheme.
The inquiry has also focused on the procurement of cardiac implants and devices used during the procedures.
According to the findings cited in reports, established procurement procedures require coordination through the PMJAY Section, the Casualty Medical Officer, and the AMRIT Store before devices are issued for patient care. Investigators have alleged that some implants may have been sourced through private vendors instead of approved institutional channels.
The inquiry further examined implant barcodes, inventory records, procurement documents, and device-tracking systems. Authorities reportedly identified discrepancies that prompted further scrutiny of procurement practices at the institution.
Investigators also noted that some records requested during the audit process were either unavailable or not produced for verification.
The government has also constituted an inquiry mechanism to examine clinical, administrative, and financial aspects of the cases under review.
Based on the audit findings and expert review, the Health and Medical Education Department initiated disciplinary proceedings against Dr. Syed Maqbool Ahmad Shah.
According to reports, the charge sheet accuses the cardiologist of alleged misconduct, professional negligence, abuse of official position, violation of government service obligations, and actions considered detrimental to public interest.
Officials stated that the disciplinary process would proceed based on documentary evidence, expert opinions, hospital records, and witness statements gathered during the investigation.
Responding to the controversy, Sakina Itoo, Jammu and Kashmir's Minister for Health and Medical Education, acknowledged the inquiry and indicated that appropriate action would be taken if wrongdoing was established through the investigation.
Officials have emphasized that the matter remains under investigation and that final conclusions will depend on the evidence reviewed during the disciplinary process.
Reference:
1 . Huang, Wenzhu, Yanhong Su, Shengjie Wu, Jiali Xu, Shunyi Xiao, and Shaowen Liu. 2021. “Left Bundle Branch Pacing: Current Knowledge and Future Prospects.” Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 8: 630399. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8021709/
2. National Health Authority. Anti-Fraud Framework Practitioners' Guidebook. Government of India, 2024. https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/s3169779d3852b32ce8b1a1724dbf5217d/uploads/2024/09/20240924831436164.pdf
(Rh/ARC/MSM)
