Pune Quack booked for illegal medical practice, unauthorised chiropractic courses
Pune: In an alleged case of illegal medical practice, a Pune-based fake doctor has been booked for allegedly using the title "doctor" on social media and conducting unauthorised chiropractic courses without possessing recognised medical qualifications. The case was registered following a Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) review as part of its ongoing crackdown on bogus medical practitioners.
According to PMC officials, the action forms part of a larger drive to curb illegal medical practice across the city. Between 2013 and 2024, the civic body has registered cases against 56 bogus doctors across Pune. The latest review of these cases was held during the committee's meeting chaired by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram.
The FIR was lodged under Sections 33(1) and 33(2) of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, 1961, after the civic body's search and action committee examined the case and obtained a legal opinion. Police have launched an investigation into the matter.
Speaking to TOI, Dr Rajesh Dighe, assistant health officer, Pune Municipal Corporation, said, “Citizens should verify the educational qualifications and statutory registrations of doctors before undergoing medical treatment or consulting with them. If information regarding individuals practicing illegally is received, it should be reported to the respective zonal office or the municipal corporation’s health department. The police administration and the municipal corporation will continue this coordinated drive to curb the practice of bogus medicine.''
Following an investigation and a formal opinion from the legal department, the case was registered on Monday, July 27. The Kondhwa police are conducting further investigations into the matter, according to civic officials.
During the review meeting, the Municipal Commissioner directed the health and legal departments to update the status of all pending cases against bogus doctors and verify whether any of the accused had resumed medical practice despite action being taken against them.
According to The Daily, an individual is considered a bogus doctor if they provide medical treatment or perform procedures without holding recognised medical qualifications —such as MBBS, BAMS, BUMS, BHMS, or BDS degrees, or postgraduate degrees like MD or MS—registered with an authorised medical council.
