Mumbai: Fake vaccination scam doctor tests positive for Covid-19

Dr Shivraj Pataria, main accused

The main accused in the fake vaccination scam, Dr Shivraj Pataria, owner of Charkop-based Shivam Hospital, tested positive for COVID-19 and has been admitted to GT Hospital. Pataria and his team of scamsters are accused of giving fake vaccinations to over 3,000 people in Mumbai and Thane.

Pataria ran the hospital with his wife, Nita, also an accused. Nita and other accused - Mahendra Singh, Dr Manish Tripathi, Rajesh Pandey, Rahul Dube, Shrikant Mane, Seema Ahuja, Anurag Tripathi, Sanjay Gupta, Chandan Singh, Gudiya Yadav, Karim Ali and Nitin Mode, have tested negative for COVID-19. All 14 were remanded to police custody on July 15.

A police source said, "After being produced in court on July 15, all accused were taken for a medical check-up. Pataria was found to have a cough, fever and body pain. On July 17, his COVID-19 test came positive. His condition is stable and oxygen level is perfect."

Scam victim tests positive

Jaina Sanghavi, 31, a victim in the vaccination scam case has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been admitted to Oscar Hospital. Sanghavi is a resident of Hiranandani Heritage society in Kandivli West and is a tutor. At least 390 residents of the society received fake vaccines in the scam orchestrated by the Taparias.

Jaina Sanghavi, a victim from Hiranandani Heritage society

Sanghavi said, "Ten days ago, I started having a cough and fever and hence got an RT-PCR test which came positive. I got admitted to Oscar Hospital and my health took a turn for the worse. I was given injections and remdesivir. The bill has run into lakhs already and all this happened because I was unable to get vaccinated. We need a solution immediately and the government must ensure everyone is vaccinated legitimately."