Mumbai homoeopathy doctor arrested for allegedly performing ear surgeries at hotel

Chennai: A homoeopathy doctor popular on social media and her assistant were arrested in Chennai for allegedly performing unauthorised ear surgeries at a temporary clinic set up inside a hotel without proper facilities. 

According to officials, the doctor, along with her assistant, was reportedly conducting earlobe repair procedures at the makeshift setup in a hotel. The arrests followed a complaint from various medical associations, which alleged that the surgical procedures requiring qualified allopathic specialists and proper clinical infrastructure were being carried out without necessary approval.

According to a report by The Times of India, the Mumbai-based homoeopathy practitioner and her assistant were arrested by Teynampet Police after a raid at a hotel where the temporary clinic had been set up. Officials said the practitioner had promoted her services extensively on social media and claimed expertise in procedures such as ear piercing and ear lobe repair.

Who is the doctor behind over 800 videos on ear surgeries?

The doctor posted more than 800 videos and claimed to have treated over 5,000 people in more than 15 cities across the country.

Investigators said the procedure she was offering is known as auroplasty, commonly performed for patients who are unable to wear earrings due to torn or damaged earlobes. Authorities noted that such minor surgical procedures typically require trained specialists and proper clinical facilities.

Authorities also discovered that appointments were made through mobile phones with previous clients and new patients. People seeking treatment through WhatsApp were reportedly asked to pay a booking fee of Rs 2,000 before the procedure. Both the accused were later produced before a magistrate's court and remanded to judicial custody.

Medical Association Raises Alarm on Cosmetic Surgery Violations

The complaint that triggered the investigation was filed by the president of the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists and Leprologists, who informed the office of the Director of Medical and Rural Welfare Services that the practitioner was allegedly performing surgical procedures in Tamil Nadu without appropriate medical qualifications or permissions and was using surgical equipment meant for allopathic doctors.

The complaint also referred to a Tamil Nadu government order issued on February 13 stating that only qualified skin and cosmetic specialists are permitted to carry out such procedures with adequate medical facilities.

Following the complaint, a team led by Dr Meenakshi Sundari, Joint Director of the Directorate of Medical and Rural Welfare Services, conducted a raid at the hotel located on Kodambakkam High Road. During the operation, the doctor and her receptionist were detained and later handed over to the police.

Police registered a case under Sections 125, 272, and 318(4), read with 15(3) of the Medical Council Act. During the investigation, officials found that the practitioner had travelled to Chennai three times last year and stayed at a hotel in Nungambakkam while offering the procedures.

Also Read: Massive Medical Negligence of the government - Dr Rajeev Joshi