Cuttack: Police have busted a broker racket operating around the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack and arrested three accused who allegedly cheated patients and their attendants on the pretext of arranging blood.

According to reports, the accused used to target vulnerable patients and their relatives visiting the hospital for treatment. They would approach those struggling to secure blood from the SCB Hospital's blood bank and promise immediate arrangements. However, after collecting money, the brokers would disappear without providing any assistance.

The racket came to light after a complaint was lodged at the Mangalabag Police Station by Vivekananda Behera of Balikuda, who claimed he was duped by the fraudsters.

Acting on the complaint, police arrested three individuals identified as Shiva Mohanty from Bari, Abinash Rout from Kendrapara, and Dhaneswar Mohanty from Jagatsinghpur. All three have been forwarded to court.

Investigators suspect the involvement of a larger network operating in and around the hospital. The group is believed to mislead patients, divert them to private hospitals, and extort money on false promises of arranging blood or hospital beds.

With a large number of patients arriving at SCB Hospital from different parts of the state, many fall prey to such middlemen, often losing money during critical situations.