MUMBAI: Two staffers of a Malad-based pathology laboratory were on Saturday booked by the Charkop police on charges of cheating after a patient accused them of producing a false HIV positive report. The accused, Rajendra Mehra and Geeta Mehra, belong to Pacific Lab which is located at Jankalyan Nagar near Malwani. "We are in the process of making arrests," said zonal DCP Balsinh Rajput.

The complainant, Joel Chettiar, 38, is a real estate consultant. Last month, he had submitted a blood sample at the lab for a routine blood investigation including an HIV screening. He was shocked when the report revealed that he was HIV positive.

Chettiar was very worried and after an argument at home, he decided to get another HIV screening done where he tested negative. To be sure, he did a third screening which too was negative for HIV. He then approached a social worker and eventually the Charkop police station earlier this week. After an initial probe, the police registered an FIR on Saturday under sections 467, 468, 420, 34 of IPC against the Mehras.