Misrepresentation as MD Radiodiagnosis, no valid registration: Telangana medical council bars doctor for 2 years, censures another

Hyderabad: Taking note of alleged unethical practices, professional misconduct, use of fake medical qualifications, and expired registration certificates, the Telangana Medical Council has removed the name of a doctor from its medical register for two years and censured another for their alleged illegal practices at a diagnostic centre in Suryapet.

The Council found that Dr Soma, a registered sonologist, was practising as a Consultant Radiologist with a fake MD degree and with an expired registration since March 26, 2022. He has been directed to surrender his Permanent Registration Certificate and Renewal Certificate within ten days, failing which his name will be permanently removed from the Medical Register.

On the other hand, Dr Ali was found to have been practising without a valid Telangana Medical Council registration.

An order issued by the council mentioned that the case surfaced after the Chairman took suo motu cognisance and constituted an inspection team comprising Dr. V. Naresh Kumar (TGMC Member), Dr. Rajeev Naik, and Dr. Arundathi (Co-opted members) to examine alleged unethical practices in clinics and diagnostic centres across Suryapet and Nalgonda districts, including involvement of unqualified practitioners and non-modern system doctors prescribing allopathic drugs. Acting on credible inputs, the team inspected Apple Scan Centre, Suryapet, on April 24, 2025.

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Fake Qualification, Expired Registration

During the inspection, the doctor was found practising as a Consultant Radiologist without holding a recognised postgraduate qualification in Radiodiagnosis and with an expired registration, which had lapsed on March 26, 2022 at the Suryapet diagnosis centre. 

As per the order, the Council noted that he had been using the title “MD (Radio Diagnosis)” and presenting himself as a Consultant Radiologist in hospital signage, name boards, and reports, despite not possessing a recognised qualification approved by the National Medical Commission.

It was also found that his registration with the Telangana Medical Council had expired on March 26, 2022, and had not been renewed. A photocopy of the registration certificate allegedly in his name was submitted during inspection, which was found to be fabricated upon verification.

Based on this, the Council issued show-cause notices dated 26.04.2025 to him seeking explanations. In response to the notice, the doctor submitted his explanation. 

He admitted that he was practising as a Consultant Sonologist under the provisions of PCPNDT Rule 3(3)(1)(b), that he had applied for renewal of registration on 10.10.2023, and that he was not aware of any fabricated certificate allegedly submitted during inspection.

After considering his explanations, notices were issued to the doctor directing him to appear before the Ethics Committee on 12.07.2025, 27.09.2025, and 29.11.2025. He was charged with violation of Regulation 7.20 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, submission of a fabricated certificate and for alleged infamous conduct in a professional respect

During proceedings, the doctor admitted that he had displayed "MD (Radio Diagnosis)" and falsely described himself as a Consultant Radiologist on the name board, hospital signage and scanning reports issued to patients. He further admitted that he does not possess a recognised MD (Radio Diagnosis) qualification and that the qualification relied upon by him is not recognised by the National Medical Commission.

When confronted with the forged registration certificate purportedly issued by the Maharashtra Medical Council, he stated that although the signature appeared to be his, the certificate might have been submitted by hospital staff. He reportedly failed to submit documents as directed by the Committee.

Practising without valid registration

Meanwhile, a doctor was found working as a Consultant Radiologist without valid registration with the Telangana Medical Council at the Suryapet diagnosis centre. He later admitted that he was unaware of the requirement for separate registration with the Telangana Medical Council and sought leniency, stating that he had obtained a No Objection Certificate from his parent State Medical Council.

He was charged of violation of Regulation 1.1.3 of the said Regulations, for practicing without valid medical council registration, submission of fabricated certificate, and for alleged infamous conduct in a professional respect.

Appearing before the Ethics Committee after being issued notice, he admitted violation of Regulation 1.1.3 and further admitted that he submitted the fabricated registration certificate of concerned sonologist to the inspection team on 24.04.2025.

Final decision

After examining the oral submissions, documentary evidence, and relevant provisions of the Telangana Medical Practitioners Registration Act, 1968 and the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, the Ethics Committee recommended removal of the name of the sonologist from the Medical Register of the Council for a period of two (2) years under Sections 15(4) and 17 of the Telangana Medical Practitioners Registration Act, 1968 and Regulation 8.2 of the Indian Medical Council Regulations, 2002 and recommended that the other doctor be censured under the aforesaid statutory provisions.

"The recommendations of the Ethics Committee were placed before the General Body of the Council. After detailed deliberation, the General Body unanimously approved the recommendations. Accordingly, in exercise of powers under Section 17(2) r/w Section 15(4) of the Telangana Medical Practitioners Registration Act, 1968 and Regulation 8.2 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002, the name of Dr Soma (Reg. No. ***) is hereby removed from the Medical Register of the Telangana Medical Council for a period of two (2) years with effect from the date of receipt of this order.  Dr Soma is directed to surrender his Permanent Registration Certificate and Renewal Certificate within ten (10) days from the date of receipt of this order, failing which his name shall be permanently removed from the Medical Register of the Council. Dr Ali (Reg. No. ***) is hereby censured," mentioned the order. 

It further mentioned, "Both practitioners are informed that they may prefer an appeal before the National Medical Commission within sixty (60) days from the date of receipt of this order under Regulation 8.8 of the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 and Section 30(3) of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019."

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