MAHARASHTRA: EOW plans to nab around 800 bogus doctors

MUMBAI: With the arrest of four bogus doctors in the city, the economic offences wing (EOW) is likely to nab over 800 bogus doctors currently practicing in the city. “We are taking steps so that no one gets wrong treatment. The bogus doctors or those who are not registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council will be caught,” said a police officer.

The EOW has been carrying out operations to nab bogus doctors. However, this time the joint commissioner, D D Kamalakar, seems to be tough with those practicing in the name of doctor. The EOW has started forming new teams when they have to go for such operations now. Personnel from various units are inducted and the information is kept secret until some bogus doctor is in police net. On Wednesday, the EOW arrested three bogus doctors from Kurar and one from Dindoshi. “There are several medical practitioner who had in the past worked as compounder for doctors and over a period of several years now they have got experience of giving medicines. There are many compounders who are practicing as doctors while they don’t have any degree for this,” said the officer.

A police team, while visiting/raiding a doctor, is always accompanied by a doctor who could immediately verify the authenticity of a doctor’s certificate. The doctor (with the police) is in touch with the Maharashtra Medical Council and contacts with them as and when required.

The EOW had during 2002-2003 come down heavily on the bogus doctors when it arrested more than 420 bogus doctors. Rajan Katdare, the then police inspector and investigating officer, had field charge sheets against all the 420 doctors. Last year, the EOW arrested around eight bogus doctors. “There are several people who do not posses valid degree or registration and practice in Mumbai. Its illegal. We want to stop this pracitse,” added an EOW officer.

The doctors, under the police scanner, mostly practice in slums and at such a place where no one could raise question about their degree and qualification. “Sometimes they may put the lives of poor people in danger. In some cases earlier we found that the bogus doctors were even treating patients for cancer and Aids,” the officer said.