NASHIK: Police suspect that around 400-500 people, mostly flyers and students who had to travel for examination purposes, had allegedly bought fake RT-PCR reports from the two employees on contract of the Jalgaon medical college and hospital, who were dismissed from service for their role in the case.
A security guard of the Jalgaon medical college had been arrested and a data entry operator of the health hub booked on the charge of selling the fake RT-PCR reports.
Ganesh Deshmukh, sub-inspector of the Zilla Peth police station and investigating officer of the case, on Friday said, "The security guard told us that many people bought such certificates during this period. Once we interrogate the data entry operator, who is the other suspect in the case, we can ascertain the exact number of people who had bought these fake certificates."
He said the arrested security guard, Rajendra Durge, told the police that the duo would charge Rs600 for furnishing a fake RT-PCR report. Durge is currently in police custody.
"The data entry operator has applied for anticipatory bail in the local court, which has sought our opinion on the issue before it hears the case on February 16. We will oppose his anticipatory bail plea, as he is the key person who will shed more light on the racket," Deshmukh said. "The security guard used to get Rs100 as his share for each fake certificate. The rest of the amount would go to the data entry operator," the officer said.
"The security guard told us that people such as air passengers and students who wanted to travel to appear for exams were the ones who wanted to buy the false certificates. None of the buyers had got their swab tests done at the hospital and get the fake RT-PCR reports by paying the money," Deshmukh said.
