31 quacks arrested from clinics in Surat, Medicines Seized
Surat: The Surat police have apprehended 31 individuals operating as unlicensed doctors in the Pandesara area. These individuals were administering allopathic treatments without the necessary medical qualifications. During the raid, authorities also seized a batch of medicines from their clinics.
The operation, conducted in partnership with the district health department, has uncovered a significant network of fraudulent medical practices in the region. Following this investigation, the police executed raids on the clinics of 31 unlicensed practitioners. This operation highlights the critical need for rigorous verification of medical professionals' credentials and adherence to established health standards.
During the recent raids, the team requested the necessary documentation from the clinic operators, which the accused were unable to provide. As a result, 31 individuals were arrested, according to Police Inspector H.M. Gadhvi. The arrests were made under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Gujarat Medical Practitioners Act.
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According to the Indian Express, Gadhvi stated, “We have arrested 15 quacks during the raids. We had sent dummy patients to some places and they were given medicines by these quack doctors. Some of them had worked in clinics and hospitals. Majority of the accused are from UP, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, among others. We have also seized medicines and medical equipment from their clinics.”
The individuals who were arrested during the raid were found to be operating without valid medical credentials, endangering public health by administering unregulated treatments and medications. The police have charged the accused with multiple offences related to medical malpractice and fraudulent practices.
Under the directive of Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, coordinated teams from the Pandesara Police, the Special Operation Group, and the Surat Municipal Corporation carried out simultaneous raids on 31 counterfeit clinics in Pandesara and Dindoli on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Pandesara, a region in Surat predominantly populated by migrants from states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra, has recently been the target of intensified law enforcement actions. During nocturnal patrols, the Pandesara police uncovered numerous clinics being run by unqualified practitioners, commonly referred to as "quacks," who were illegally offering medical services to the local community.
Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut mentioned that the details of all the accused had been collected and steps would be taken to prevent the reopening of fake clinics. During the raids, teams had seized injections, medicines, and syrups valued in the lakhs. This substantial stockpile of medical supplies underscores the extensive nature of the fraudulent activities conducted by those arrested.
SOG Police Inspector A. P. Chaudhary indicated that the drive would continue in other areas of the city to identify locations where illegal clinics are operating. These raids and subsequent arrests mark a significant step in the fight against medical fraud, aiming to protect the integrity of healthcare services and ensure the safety of patients.
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