0
0
Hyderabad, May 27, 2025:
A major scandal has rocked Hyderabad’s medical community as Metro Hospital in Tolichowki faces criminal proceedings for allegedly issuing dozens of fake birth and death certificates. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), in collaboration with local police, has launched a full-scale investigation into the hospital’s activities after uncovering the unauthorized issuance of 65 birth certificates and eight death certificates.
How the Scam Was Uncovered
The fraudulent activity came to light after police received a complaint regarding a suspicious property transfer based on a falsified death certificate. Tracing the document led officials back to Metro Hospital, which, notably, had already been officially shut down when the certificates were issued.
GHMC maintains a list of over 2,000 hospitals authorized to notify the civic body about births and deaths via a centralized online portal. Although Metro Hospital had ceased operations, its name remained active in the system to facilitate the reissuance of lost certificates. However, officials allege that the hospital exploited this loophole to continue issuing certificates illegally.
Official Response and Actions Taken
Upon confirming the irregularities, GHMC immediately canceled all 73 fraudulently issued certificates and recommended the cancellation of Metro Hospital’s registration, as well as the medical license of the doctor involved. The hospital’s access to the certificate portal has also been disabled.
A senior GHMC official stated, “We keep the hospital’s name in the list even after it is shut down, in order to facilitate the issue of certificates in case the original is lost. This particular hospital has taken advantage of the same, and continued to issue certificates even after its closure.”
Wider Crackdown on Certificate Fraud
The scandal has prompted GHMC to tighten verification procedures to prevent future misuse. In a related development, GHMC has also filed charges against several registrars and health personnel after discovering discrepancies in reported home births. A suo motu investigation revealed that at least four of the 74 registered home births in the city never occurred, leading to the dismissal of a health assistant and criminal cases against those who falsely vouched for the births.
What’s Next?
The authorities are now reviewing all processes related to birth and death registrations to ensure such incidents do not recur. The case has also sparked a broader conversation about the need for stricter oversight and digital safeguards in the issuance of vital documents.
Disclaimer:
This news article is based on information reported by Medical Dialogues and other cited sources as of May 27, 2025. The details provided reflect the situation as known at the time of publication. Ongoing investigations may reveal further developments. Readers are advised to refer to official statements and follow-up reports for the latest updates.
Citations:
