In a shocking case of embezzlement, Soumya, a 24-year-old cashier at a prominent private hospital in Chennai, has been arrested for allegedly embezzling a total of Rs 52 lakh from the institution. The hospital, managed by Dr. Maithili and her husband Dr. Palani, has been operating in Anna Nagar West Extension for almost a decade.
The fraud came to light when several patients reported that their payments were not being reflected in the hospital’s official records. Dr. Maithili, suspicious of the repeated issues, conducted a thorough review of the accounts and uncovered a pattern of financial discrepancies. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that Soumya had been siphoning off substantial amounts of money over a period of time.
The arrest follows an inquiry into the missing funds, which had been reportedly transferred to Soumya’s personal accounts. She had been working at the hospital for a significant time, making her position as a cashier key to her access to the hospital’s finances.
As of now, the police are continuing their investigation, and more details about Soumya’s personal spending or whether she had accomplices are expected to emerge. The hospital management has assured that measures are being taken to prevent such incidents in the future, including a full audit of their financial systems.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and robust internal controls in financial operations, especially in high-trust sectors like healthcare.