Healthcare provider Aster DM Healthcare Ltd said it has initiated a forensic investigation as part of a fact-finding review on the employees alleged by the whistleblower in a complaint. The company appointed Grant Thornton Bharat to initiate the audit.

“This is to inform you that pursuant to the receipt of anonymous complaints against certain employees alleging unethical practices and professional misconduct, a forensic investigation is to be initiated by the Company,” Aster said in a regulatory filing to the bourses.

“The Company has engaged Grant Thornton Bharat LLP to conduct an independent fact-finding review to ascertain the veracity of allegations pertaining to Aster hospitals located in Medcity, Kannur, and Calicut,” it added.

“Since the Company has received an anonymous whistleblower complaint alleging senior employees of the Company of being involved in certain unethical practices and professional misconduct, the Company would like to conduct a fact-finding review on the employees so alleged by the whistleblower complaint.”

Anonymous Complaint

Earlier on May 28, 2024, the company had disclosed the receipt of an anonymous complaint about certain employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The alleged fraud issue raised by the Whistleblower involved the Vice President, Head of Projects, and Regional Head of Finance, and the estimated amount was to the tune of Rs. 25 lakhs.

“The relevant transactions resulting in the conflict of interest are being wound up / terminated,” Aster had informed the exchanges.

The Whistleblower had raised issues like breach of conflict-of-interest policy by certain employees, including failure to disclose interest in / relationships with certain vendors of Aster.

“The concerned employees will be subject to disciplinary proceedings and they have also formally apologised to the Company and have indicated the lapses were due to oversight on their part,” Aster said in its initial filing.