Defamation Scandal Update: Ahmedabad Crime Branch Arrests Dr. Sanjay Patolia; Total Arrests Reach 7, Two Suspects Still at Large
Police have arrested Dr. Sanjay Patolia, who had gone underground after an FIR was filed in the high-profile defamation scandal that created a stir across the state. His anticipatory bail application was rejected on Tuesday.
Following the investigation handed over to the Ahmedabad Crime Branch, a total of seven accused have been arrested so far. However, Kartik Patel and Rajshree Kothari still remain out of police reach.
Who is Dr. Sanjay Patolia?
Dr. Sanjay Patolia began his career in 1999 as an Assistant Professor in the Surgery Department at Rajkot Government Hospital. He later started private practice as a gastro and bariatric surgeon.
In 2005, he established New Life Hospital in Rajkot. In 2014, he launched Asian Bariatrics Hospital on SG Highway in Ahmedabad, which was renamed Khyati Multispeciality Hospital in 2019. This hospital is currently at the center of a statewide controversy.
Dr. Sanjay Patolia, one of the accused in the defamation scandal, is associated with hospitals in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and Surat. Each of these hospitals operates under different names. The Khyati Multispeciality Hospital in Ahmedabad, which is currently in the news, was initially founded as Asian Bariatrics by Dr. Patolia.
After two partners, including Dr. Narwadia, exited the partnership, Kartik Patel entered, and the hospital was renamed Khyati Multispeciality Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Patolia is linked to New Life Hospital in Rajkot and Sunshine Global Hospital in Surat.
Arrested Accused in the Defamation Scandal
- Dr. Prashant Vaziri
- Chirag, son of Hirasinh Bagisinh Rajput
- Milind, son of Kanubhai Amratlal Patel
- Rahul, son of Rajendrakumar Shantilal Jain
- Pratik, son of Yogeshbhai Hiralal Bhatt
- Pankil, son of Hasmukhbhai Mohanbhai Patel
- Dr. Sanjay Patolia
Accused Still at Large in the Defamation Scandal
- Kartik Patel
- Rajshree Kothari
Dr. Sanjay Patolia’s Connection to Surat Hospital
Dr. Sanjay Patolia also performed bariatric surgeries at a hospital in Surat. He served as a visiting doctor at the renowned Sunshine Global Hospital in Surat’s Piplod area, typically visiting once or twice a month.
At Sunshine Global Hospital, Dr. Patolia specialized in weight-loss bariatric surgeries. Interestingly, he listed this hospital as one of his centers on his official website.
Details of the Case Against Dr. Sanjay Patolia
In response to the case involving Dr. Sanjay Patolia, Dr. Biren Chauhan, Chief Operating Officer of Sunshine Global Hospital, clarified that Dr. Patolia was only a visiting doctor and had no involvement with the hospital’s management.
He visited the Surat hospital approximately once a month and had been serving as a visiting doctor for the past two years. During his visits, he consulted with about three patients each month and performed bariatric weight-loss surgeries. Dr. Chauhan also mentioned that the hospital is closely monitoring the case against Dr. Sanjay Patolia.
Use of Russian and Chinese Apps by the Accused
During the investigation of the defamation scandal, the Ahmedabad Crime Branch previously arrested Dr. Prashant Vaziri, Chirag Rajput, Rahul Jain, Milind Patel, Pratik, and Pankil. Rahul Jain was apprehended in Udaipur, while the other four suspects were caught at a farm near Kapadvanj in Kheda. It was revealed that the accused communicated through Russian and Chinese apps to avoid police surveillance.
Interrogation of the five arrested suspects revealed significant details about their activities. Chirag Rajput, the CEO of Khyati Hospital, reportedly earned a monthly salary of ₹7 lakh. Additionally, it was discovered that Milind Patel had served a one-year jail term in a case under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
With the recent arrest of Dr. Sanjay Patolia, further revelations are expected during police interrogation.
What Was the Entire Case About?
The controversy began at Khyati Multispeciality Hospital on SG Highway in Ahmedabad. On November 11th, angiography was performed on 19 individuals from Borisna village in Kadi, and angioplasty was conducted on seven of them. Tragically, two patients passed away, sparking public outrage against the hospital.
It was alleged that the hospital’s management and doctors conducted unnecessary surgeries to exploit benefits under the PMJAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) scheme. Following the complaint, Dr. Prashant Vaziri, who performed the surgeries, was the first to be arrested. After his remand period ended, he was sent to judicial custody.
Subsequently, the crime branch arrested a total of seven people, with two suspects still at large. The investigation continues to uncover more details about this high-profile case.
