Delhi Based anaesthetist given 1-year suspension for issuing fake Medical Certificate

New Delhi: Taking action against a Dwarka-based Anaesthetist for issuing fake medical certificates, the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) has suspended him for one year.

The fake medical certificates, issued by the concerned doctor, had been used by the accused for obtaining interim bail from the Delhi High Court. After the Delhi Police informed the Medical Council about the matter, DMC initiated the investigation.

Dr Tewari, who is an MD in Anesthesia, had issued three different medical certificates to the accused Rambeer Shokeen. The accused had been booked by the Special Cell of Delhi Police back on February 23, 2015.

Police had booked the concerned accused, Shokeen, under section 174 A of the Indian Penal Code and under the stringent sections 3 (punishment for organised crimes) and 4 (punishment for possessing unaccountable wealth on behalf of a member of organised crime syndicate) of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA).

While the first certificate had been issued on June 4, 2021, the other two certificates had been issued in July and August of the same year. Issuing those certificates the doctor had recommended biopsy or excision of sebaceous cyst and pain in the scrotal region that could be due to hernia.

Using those certificates, the accused had filed an application for interim bail for a period of 45 days to avail medical treatment and surgery. However, the Delhi High Court bench had rejected the bail application.

Following this, back on August 2, 2022, the Special Cell of Delhi Police informed the Delhi Medical Council about this matter and consequently, the Council initiated the investigation.

The doctor had been called for hearing of the matter. During the council proceedings, Dr Tewari had admitted that he had not examined the accused personally because the accused was in Jail.

"He informed us that some Police Personnel had gone to him with some documents and based on those documents the doctor had issued the medical certificates to the accused Rambeer Shokeen," the Secretary and Registrar of Delhi Medical Council, Dr Girish Tyagi informed Medical Dialogues.

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Referring to the Guidelines issued by the Delhi Medical Council, Dr Tyagi further informed that before issuing medical certificate to a patient, the doctor needs to examine the patient personally, the certificate should also contain proper signature and details regarding the identification mark of the patient should also be mentioned in the certificate.

"Medical Certificate can be issued for a period of 15 days. It can be extended again after re-examining the patient," he mentioned, further adding that the concerned doctor has now been suspended for a period of one year.

During this period, the doctor cannot practice medicine. As per the rules, in case the suspended doctors are found to be violating the suspension order, the Council takes cognizance of the matter, and takes strict against them.

While commenting on the matter, Dr Tyagi further informed that the Council has been receiving several complaints alleging the doctors getting involved in such unethical practices. "Sometimes, these complaints are genuine and after initiating the investigation, the Council seeks explanation from such doctors," he added.

Medical Dialogues had reported back in 2017 that the Delhi Medical Council had suspended four medical practitioners for periods ranging from 1 month to 6 months, for issuing fake/inaccurate medical certificates.

While ordering the disciplinary action, the council was also seen asking the doctors to adhere to the guidelines for issuance of medical certificate framed by it, for future purposes.

Also Read: Delhi Medical Council cracks down on Doctors for fake Medical Certificates, suspends 4