Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur police have arrested a 37-year-old doctor from Nagpur, Maharashtra, for her alleged involvement in a multi-lakh financial scam centered around fake snakebite deaths and forged autopsy reports.

The doctor, Priyanka Soni (an MBBS graduate from Ukraine), is among 17 suspects arrested so far. Investigators have registered 16 First Information Reports (FIRs) in connection with the scam, with several other doctors and government officials currently under the scanner.

How the Fraud Worked:
Under Chhattisgarh state policy, families of victims who die from snakebites are eligible for ₹4 lakh in state compensation. Investigators revealed that a organized network systematically exploited this welfare scheme between 2019 and 2024:

Targeting Past Deaths: The syndicate identified previous deaths caused by ordinary illnesses, cancer, suicide, or natural causes.

Coaxing Families: A group led by an advocate convinced the deceased’s relatives to falsely claim the death was caused by a snakebite.

Forging Medical & Government Records: Fake post-mortem reports were produced using the names of doctors attached to Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS) Hospital. Crucially, required skin sample collections for Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) testing were deliberately skipped.

Counterfeit Seals & Signatures: The group forged official seals and signatures belonging to doctors, police personnel, patwaris (revenue officials), and administrative offices to clear claim documents.

Payout Distribution: Once the state approved and transferred the ₹4 lakh compensation into the beneficiary’s bank account, the funds were split among the network members and the family.

How the Scam Was Uncovered
The multi-year racket came to light after an MLA raised questions regarding suspicious snakebite compensation claims on the floor of the Chhattisgarh Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly), prompting a police investigation.

Police officials confirmed that investigations are ongoing to identify other medical professionals and local administrative staff who facilitated the scam.