A Delhi gardener has been arrested for allegedly scamming impoverished patients by using counterfeit letterheads from the Delhi Chief Minister’s Office. The accused, identified as Sonu, 27, is reported to have duped individuals by promising them free medical treatment under the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) category. He reportedly charged ₹5,000 for each patient he facilitated.
The scheme unraveled when Maharaja Agrasen Hospital in Delhi received a letter recommending free treatment for a patient, Shyam Shankar. The letter, bearing forged signatures and displaying inconsistencies in fonts and spelling, raised suspicion among the hospital staff. Their doubts were further fueled by a call from someone claiming to be from the CM’s office, directing them to proceed with the treatment.
Upon investigation by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), it was confirmed that they had no involvement in the matter. An Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister filed a complaint, leading to Sonu’s arrest on October 30. During interrogation, Sonu confessed that he found an original CM Office letter in the MCD’s records and decided to exploit it for financial gain. He targeted patients outside private hospitals who struggled to afford medical care.
Sonu used a motorcycle with a fake license plate to evade detection. Authorities recovered several forged letters, an original letterhead, fake MCD and Haryana government ID cards, and the modified motorcycle from his possession. Sonu, originally from Haryana, had previously worked as a watchman and gardener. He resides in Tagore Garden with his wife and son, and further investigations are underway to uncover any potential accomplices.