A 27-year-old man was taken into custody in Kasalkhand village in Panvel taluka after health officials and police found that he was allegedly treating patients without holding a recognised medical degree, officials said. The action followed complaints from local residents who questioned his qualifications.
The man, identified as Nurul Huda Imamul Haq, had started a clinic in Kasalkhand around one-and-a-half months ago. Residents brought their concerns to the notice of medical officers at the Ajivali primary health centre, following which the health department and Panvel taluka police began an inquiry.
According to the report, a complaint was received by Gajanan Ghadge, senior police inspector at Panvel taluka police station. He directed assistant police inspector Ananda Harugade to investigate the matter. Health department medical officers and police inspected the clinic at about 2.15 p.m. on Monday.
The inspection allegedly found that Haq did not possess the medical qualification required to practise as a doctor. Officials also found a stock of medicines at the premises. Despite not holding a medical degree, he was allegedly treating patients at the clinic, the report said.
A case has been registered against him at Panvel taluka police station under Sections 33(1) and 33(2) of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, 1961. The provisions relate to practising medicine without the required legal qualification or registration.
The police are also investigating whether Haq had treated patients outside the clinic. Preliminary inquiries indicate that he allegedly visited patients at their homes when called, according to the report. Investigators are examining how many people he may have treated and where the medicines found at the clinic were procured.
Haq currently lives in a Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority building at the Indiabulls Society in Kon, while he is originally from West Bengal, the report said. The case follows residents’ intervention and the subsequent inspection by health officials and police. Further details are expected as the investigation continues.
