Assam launches crackdown on Quacks, 4 arrested

Jorhat: The Assam government has launched an intensified crackdown on quacks operating across the state. Within just three days, four individuals impersonating medical professionals have been arrested — two from Nagaon and two from Jorhat — as part of an ongoing operation by the newly formed anti-quackery task force.

The arrests took place in Nagaon on Tuesday, while the remaining two were made in Jorhat on Wednesday. These arrests followed First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by Dr. Abhijit Neog, the anti-quackery and vigilance officer leading the initiative. The accused have been charged under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for criminal breach of trust, endangering public safety, and cheating, as well as under various provisions of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019. All four have been remanded to judicial custody.

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Among the arrested suspects, one claimed expertise in pediatric care but was found to be a fake Ayurvedic practitioner with no legitimate medical qualifications. Another had no medical qualifications whatsoever but was found offering treatments.

According to news reports, the two individuals from Nagaon had been running an unauthorized private medical chamber on Old Abart Bhawan Road, a bustling commercial area. They successfully deceived both patients and authorities, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight in the healthcare sector.

Locals, unaware of their lack of credentials, had nicknamed the pair the "Munna Bhai duo", a reference to the fictional Bollywood character who famously faked being a doctor.

The officials revealed that one of the individuals initially operated a homeopathy clinic at the same location. Over time, he began offering allopathic treatments, despite lacking the qualifications to do so. His associate falsely claimed to be a certified MBBS doctor and presented himself as a specialist, misleading patients with fraudulent credentials.

The fraud came to light when medical representatives (MRs) noticed discrepancies in prescriptions and medical practices at the chamber. Concerned by the unscientific and often inappropriate treatments being prescribed, they reported the issue to the Joint Director of the Health Department, prompting an official inquiry.

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Since its inception in January 2025, the Anti-Quackery and Vigilance Cell has been actively identifying and arresting fake doctors. The unit works closely with Assam Police to target quacks, particularly in vulnerable regions like tea gardens. As of now, the task force has arrested 10 fake doctors, filed 13 FIRs, and built an intelligence network to monitor high-risk areas. Speaking to TOI, Dr Neog said, “The targets of fake doctors are from lower and middle-income groups in both rural and urban areas. Tea garden workers are more susceptible to fake doctors. Around 15 such doctors were arrested from tea gardens in the last few years." These individuals successfully manipulate semi-literate people, who lack awareness about proper medical qualifications.