AMC questions IRDAI over preferential treatment in Saif Ali Khan’s insurance case
Mumbai: The Association of Medical Consultants (AMC), Mumbai, has written to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) regarding alleged preferential treatment extended to actor Saif Ali Khan by an insurance provider.
The issue surfaced after a social media user, Nikhil Jha, shared a letter alleging that the insurance company approved ₹25 lakh for Khan’s treatment at Lilavati Hospital within hours, bypassing standard protocols, such as requiring an FIR copy in medicolegal cases. Jha further claimed that the final bill of ₹36 lakh, covering a four-day hospital stay and surgery, was approved swiftly.
The AMC, representing over 14,000 medical professionals across Mumbai and nearby regions, criticised the incident as a glaring example of inequality in healthcare insurance. They highlighted that high-profile individuals and corporate policyholders often benefit from higher cashless limits and faster approvals, while ordinary citizens face bureaucratic challenges and inadequate coverage.
In its letter, the AMC called for IRDAI to:
1. Investigate the Saif Ali Khan incident.
2. Ensure equal treatment for all policyholders.
3. Establish stricter guidelines to prevent preferential treatment.
4. Increase transparency in cashless treatment approvals to rebuild public trust.
The AMC also raised concerns over the disparity in reimbursement rates offered by insurance companies, noting that smaller hospitals and nursing homes are often paid less than large corporate hospitals, jeopardising the sustainability of smaller healthcare providers.
Jha echoed these concerns on social media, accusing the insurer of applying stricter rules for ordinary citizens while offering preferential treatment to celebrities. He urged the IRDAI to clarify why Niva Bupa allegedly handled this case differently.
Saif Ali Khan was hospitalised at Lilavati Hospital following multiple stab injuries during a robbery at his Bandra residence on January 16. He underwent surgery and was discharged after five days.
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No 'bacterial infection' found in bodies of 4 Mumbai family members who died after eating watermelon
Mumbai (PTI): The initial report submitted by the microbiology department of a Mumbai-based state-run hospital has said no "bacterial infection" was detected in the bodies of four family members, who died after consuming watermelon recently, officials said on Wednesday.
The Dokadia family, residents of Ghari Mohalla on Ismail Kurte Road, had hosted a get-together of relatives on the night of April 25. At around 1 am (on April 26), hours after the guests had left, Abdullah Dokadia (40), his wife Nasreen (35), and daughters Ayesha (16) and Zaineb (13) ate pieces of a watermelon.
They suffered severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea in the early hours of April 26 and were rushed to a local hospital before being referred to the government-run J J Hospital where all four died during treatment.
After the incident, Mumbai police, forensic experts and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials visited the house and had collected samples of every food item that constituted the family's last meal, including 'chicken pulav', watermelon, water, and other foodstuffs, and sent them to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis.
After the post-mortem of the deceased, their viscera was preserved for chemical analysis.
As the probe is underway, the microbiology department of the state-run J J Hospital has submitted its initial report to the police.
"As per the report, no bacterial infection has been detected so far in the bodies of the victims. No bacteria was found in their blood," the official said.
The exact cause of the death will be known once the forensic science lab submits its report, he said.
"The report will also clarify whether any food items consumed by the family members during the day contained anything poisonous," the official said.
