Bengaluru: The state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe fraudulent insurance claims across the state, particularly cases involving the alleged fabrication of road accidents and attempts to …

Bengaluru: The state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe fraudulent insurance claims across the state, particularly cases involving the alleged fabrication of road accidents and attempts to obtain compensation from insurance companies through false claims.The Home Department issued an order in this regard on September 22, following a Supreme Court direction to all states to constitute dedicated teams to investigate fraudulent insurance claims.The SIT will be headed by an officer of the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP). A Superintendent of Police nominated from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a Deputy Superintendent of Police and three police inspectors nominated by the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) will also be part of the team.Supreme Court orders states to form SITs to probe suspected insurance fraudsThe team will have jurisdiction across Karnataka and has been declared a police station under Section 2(1)(u) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. Its officers have also been authorised to submit final reports before the jurisdictional courts under Section 193 of the BNSS.The SIT will function under the supervision of the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Police Headquarters, Bengaluru.According to the order, the move is aimed at tackling organised insurance fraud in which false claims are allegedly generated by fabricating or staging incidents. Such cases may involve the alleged collusion of claimants with medical professionals, legal representatives, local agents and other intermediaries to create documents and circumstances supporting fraudulent claims.One of the concerns is the staging of motor vehicle accidents to create the basis for claiming compensation from insurance companies. Investigators will examine the circumstances surrounding such claims and verify whether accidents, injuries and supporting documents are genuine.The DG&IGP will transfer all complaints relating to fraudulent claims received from insurance companies to the SIT. The government will provide the required officers and staff to facilitate the investigation.A senior police officer said that the SIT would primarily investigate insurance fraud related to road accidents and false claims. “We will first collect data from insurance companies and verify the claims,” he told DH.“If we find discrepancies or evidence of criminal misconduct, cases will be registered at the police station and further investigation will be taken up. In cases involving doctors, advocates, insurance agents or other persons who have allegedly colluded to create false claims, appropriate action will be initiated.“If the investigation establishes that an accident and the claim are genuine, the prescribed procedure will be followed. Where the involvement of government employees is found, the matter will also be referred for departmental inquiry and, if necessary, criminal proceedings,” the officer explained.

Source: Deccan Herald