2 Goregaon clinics served notices over alleged unauthorised allopathic practice

Mumbai: In a shocking incident, two clinics in Goregaon have been issued notices by the Medical Officer of Health (MoH) of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) P-East Ward for allegedly practising allopathic medicine without valid registration with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) or any recognised medical authority. 

However, health officials clarified that the practitioners have not yet been declared “bogus doctors'', as verification of their qualifications and licences is still in progress.

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According to The Indian Express, one of the notices, issued on June 22 to Krishna Clinic in Goregaon, stated that during an inspection conducted by health department officials, it was found that the clinic was actively practising modern scientific medicine (allopathy). “Upon verification of your credentials, it has been established that you do not possess a valid registration with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) or any recognised Medical Council that authorises you to practice Allopathic medicine”.

A second notice was issued on June 19 to another clinic in the same locality. Both notices allege violations under the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, 1961, and the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.

The notices direct both clinics to “immediately cease and desist” from all allopathic practice and shut down unauthorised medical activity upon receipt. They also warn that failure to comply would invite strict legal and criminal action, including the registration of an FIR under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and impersonation, along with action under state medical laws that could lead to arrest and seizure of premises. The notices describe the directive as a “final and ultimate warning.”

Medical Officer of Health Dr Tulsidar Kantilal Karpe, who issued the notices, said the action was taken following complaints from patients. He clarified that the clinics have not yet been declared bogus and that their documents are currently under verification.

Dr Karpe said, “We have not yet declared they are bogus doctors. We have to get their documents verified — whether they have the medical license or not, whether they have degrees or not. This is part of our routine inspection,” reports The Indian Express.

He added that inspections of private clinics are being conducted across Mumbai and suburban areas as part of ongoing enforcement action by the health department.

Speaking to Free Press Journal, BMC officials said the civic body is committed to ensuring that only duly qualified and registered medical practitioners provide allopathic treatment. They added that inspections will continue and strict action will be taken against those found violating the law to safeguard public health and patient safety. 

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