Maharashtra medical council to take action on 'ghost signature' on lab reports

Mumbai: In a shocking case of illegal medical practice, the signature of a pathologist who passed away nearly three months ago continues to appear on fresh laboratory reports across six different locations in Maharashtra.

Raising serious concerns over 'ghost signature' and illegal laboratory practices, the Maharashtra Association of Practising Pathologists and Microbiologists (MAPPM) alleged that several blood investigation reports showed the name of the pathologist who passed away on November 20, 2025.

Writing to the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) and Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi on February 18, 2026, the Maharashtra Association of Practising Pathologists and Microbiologists (MAPPM) urged the authorities to take immediate action against the laboratories involved.

The association informed the Council that blood investigation reports bearing the signature of the deceased doctor were being circulated by multiple laboratories and a private hospital in Maharashtra.

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According to the association, the pathologist had died on November 20, 2025. However, reports signed in his name continued to be issued even after his demise.

"We are consistently raising issue of illegal practices in pathology laboratories. Recently we have received reports signed by pathologist who is no more alive. I.e. passed away on 20th Nov 2025. This information is shared to highlight such kind of illegal activities are rampant in Pune district and Maharashtra, also requesting necessary action in this regard," the mail communication stated. 

The matter surfaced when patients submitted these reports while filing their health insurance claims. During verification, the insurance company noticed irregularities and alerted the MAPPM.

A preliminary inquiry revealed that reports bearing the signature of the deceased doctor were issued by pathology laboratories and private hospitals from several locations, such as Bhosari, Swargate, Narhe, Daund and Ahilyanagar, including Shevgaon and Shrigonda. 

So far, six laboratories have been found to have issued reports in the deceased doctor’s name, with fresh cases often being flagged only when insurance companies scrutinise documents.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Prasad Kulkarni, Executive member of MAPPM, said, "This is totally unacceptable for the system to run like this. Such stories are known in the medical field, but now, even with the sharing of so much information with technology, it is still challenging for the authorities to control illegal use of name qualifications and signatures of pathologists. Inabsentia I.e. ghost pathologist practice is so rampant, it's once again awakening for the health department to control such fraudulent activities in the medical profession."

Dr Sandeep Yadav, president of MAPPM, told HT that pathologists found to have signed reports of tests they neither conducted nor supervised face a minimum six-month suspension from medical practice. A pathologist’s role includes testing blood, urine, stool or tissue samples, based on which clinicians decide further treatment. However, in this case, how can the tests be supervised and signed even after death?”

Dr Vinky Rughwani, president, MMC, said, “We have received the complaint, and the issue is extremely serious. An investigation will be conducted in this regard, and stern action will be taken against those found at fault.”

Meanwhile, Dudi said that "A probe will be carried out by the district civil surgeon in this case. This is a sensitive issue, and necessary appropriate action will be taken by the administration against the respective people."

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