Court asks ACB to file status report about alleged Ayushman Bharat Scam

JAMMU — A local court has extended the time for the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Jammu to submit the latest status about the alleged scam in the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pertinently, last year, Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed had submitted a complaint before the Director, CBI seeking registration of FIR into Rs. 500-700 crores scam in the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Scheme which later came to be transferred by the CBI to the Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, J&K.

The court had directed the ACB to submit the status report by or before September 26 this month and today, Additional Sessions Judge (Anti-Corruption) Jammu O.P. Bhagat extended the time up to September 30, 2023.

Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for ACB submitted that he has not received the status report from the ACB Headquarters and he be allowed more time to comply with the orders of the Court.

On the other hand Advocate, S.S. Ahmed resisted the prayer and submitted that ACB is taking the matter casually and an attempt is being made to hush up Rs. 500-700 crores scam. He further submitted that a time-bound direction be issued to the ACB so that the status of the scam is known to everyone.

The court agreed and asked ACB to present the status report on Saturday.