Assam man arrested for allegedly practising Ayurvedic medicine without valid credentials

Dhubri: A man allegedly practising Ayurvedic medicine without valid credentials was arrested in Assam’s Dhubri district following a joint operation by the health department and police, officials said. 

According to the news reports, the accused, a native of Cooch Behar in West Bengal, was allegedly running an unregistered pharmacy near Dhubri Medical College and Hospital and practising medicine without the required authorisation.

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The arrest followed a verification operation conducted by health officials led by Jyoti Kumar Das, Joint Director of Health Services, Dhubri. Officials said the operation was launched based on specific inputs regarding the accused doctor’s alleged medical practice.

"We launched an operation based on specific inputs and apprehended the individual who was practising without valid credentials," Dr Das said, India Today NE reported.

The development came days after the accused doctor lodged a complaint with Dhubri Police alleging that four local journalists had confronted him at his chamber and demanded Rs 3 lakh.

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that a doctor in Dhubri was allegedly threatened and forced to pay Rs 85,000 after a group of four men demanded Rs 3 lakh from him, police sources said. Three of the accused have been arrested in connection with the alleged extortion attempt, while another accused remains absconding.

According to his complaint, the doctor allegedly paid Rs 20,000 in cash and transferred another Rs 65,000 through PhonePe, claiming that he made the payments out of fear for his safety. Dhubri Police subsequently arrested the four media personnel in connection with the alleged extortion attempt.

The case took a new turn after the health department began verifying the doctor’s credentials. The verification allegedly found that he was practising medicine without valid authorisation.

Following the health department’s findings, police took the doctor into custody. Legal proceedings against him are underway, while the investigation into the alleged extortion case registered at Dhubri Sadar Police Station is continuing.

Speaking to TOI, officials said the doctor claimed to hold an “alternative medicine” degree obtained through an NGO. However, the health department found that he lacked the qualifications and registration required to practise medicine.

Authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the doctor’s alleged medical practice and the operation of the unregistered pharmacy near the medical college and hospital.

Also Read:Dhubri police arrest 3 over alleged Rs 3 lakh extortion demand targeting doctor