Giridih’s Chetadih region is at the center of a scandal involving a woman, Anjali Devi, accused of impersonating a Sahia to extort money from pregnant women. The allegations detail how she allegedly deceives vulnerable, low-income pregnant women, steering them away from government hospitals towards private facilities where inflated charges are imposed. This alleged fraudulent practice inflicts severe financial hardship on those least able to afford it.
Locals have identified Anjali Devi’s operational area near the Chetadih hospital. Her purported strategy involves intercepting pregnant women as they enter the government healthcare system, using her false Sahia identity to build trust, and then persuading them to seek treatment at private hospitals. These private facilities are then allegedly used to demand excessive payments for medical services, causing significant distress and financial burden to the women and their families.
Reports indicate that Anjali Devi also owns and operates a hotel close to the hospital, which is suspected of being involved in her alleged scheme. This operation is reportedly designed to exploit the poverty and lack of educational awareness among many pregnant women. The community is highly agitated by these accusations. Demands are being made by villagers and social advocates for an impartial investigation by the health department, stringent legal action against the alleged fake Sahia, and the establishment of safeguards to prevent the exploitation of pregnant women. If these allegations are proven true, they represent a serious indictment of the local healthcare infrastructure and oversight.