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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Delhi-bound Air India flight carrying MPs diverted due to snag, Venugopal says it was 'harrowing'
New Delhi (PTI): Senior Congress leader and Chairman of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee K C Venugopal has claimed that an Air India flight carrying him and several other MPs from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi "came frighteningly close to tragedy".
In a statement, the airline said that Air India flight AI2455, flying from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi, was diverted to Chennai on Sunday evening due to a technical issue.
In a post on X on Sunday night, Venugopal said, "Air India flight AI 2455 from Trivandrum to Delhi -- carrying myself, several MPs and hundreds of passengers -- came frighteningly close to tragedy today."
"What began as a delayed departure turned into a harrowing journey. Shortly after take-off, we were hit by unprecedented turbulence. About an hour later, the Captain announced a flight signal fault and diverted to Chennai...
"For nearly two hours, we circled the airport awaiting clearance to land, until a heart-stopping moment during our first attempt -- another aircraft was reportedly on the same runway. In that split second, the Captain's quick decision to pull up saved every life on board. The flight landed safely on the second attempt," he said.
"We were saved by skill and luck. Passenger safety cannot depend on luck. I urge @DGCAIndia and @MoCA_GoI to investigate this incident urgently, fix accountability, and ensure such lapses never happen again," the Congress leader wrote.
Responding to Venugopal on X, Air India said, "We would like to clarify that the diversion to Chennai was precautionary due to a suspected technical issue and poor weather conditions."
"A go-around was instructed by Chennai ATC (air traffic control) during the first attempted landing at Chennai airport, not because of the presence of another aircraft on the runway ... Our pilots are well-trained to handle such situations, and in this case, they followed standard procedures throughout the flight," Air India claimed.
"We understand that such an experience can be unsettling and regret the inconvenience the diversion may have caused to you. However, safety is always our priority," the airline added.
The flight AI2455, operated with an Airbus A320 aircraft, was airborne for more than two hours, according to information available on the flight tracking website Flightradar24.com.
"The flight crew of AI2455 operating from Thiruvananthapuram to Delhi on August 10 made a precautionary diversion to Chennai due to a suspected technical issue and given the weather conditions en route," the airline said in a statement earlier.
Air India said the flight landed safely in Chennai, where the aircraft will undergo the necessary checks.
Alternative arrangements are being made to fly the passengers to their destinations at the earliest, Air India said, and regretted the inconvenience caused.
Details about the number of passengers were not available.
The flight took off a little past 8 pm from Thiruvananthapuram and landed in Chennai at around 10.35 pm, according to Flightradar24.com.
In recent weeks, there have been instances of Air India's aircraft facing technical snags.
