Guwahati: In a shocking case of medical fraud, a 43-year-old man from Assam’s Sribhumi district has been arrested for impersonating a gynaecologist and obstetrician for nearly a decade. Identified as Pulak Malakar, the accused was nabbed by police while performing a caesarean section at a private hospital in Silchar.
According to police, Malakar had previously worked as a fourth-grade employee in various hospitals. Over time, he gathered basic medical knowledge and went on to procure a fake MBBS degree from a degree-selling racket by paying a hefty amount. Using forged documents, he secured jobs as a specialist at Shiva Sundari Nari Sikshashram and other hospitals after shifting to Silchar in 2016.
Malakar is alleged to have assisted in around 50 caesarean deliveries and multiple gynaecological procedures over the years, treating numerous patients under the guise of a qualified doctor.
His arrest followed multiple police complaints about his fake credentials. Authorities confirmed that all certificates submitted by him were counterfeit. He had managed to build a reputation in the locality, which helped him avoid suspicion for years.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Cachar), Numal Mahatta, said, “Based on credible intelligence, we apprehended Pulak Malakar, son of Muktaranjan Malakar of Badarpur, who was impersonating a gynaecologist using a forged MBBS certificate.”
A case has been registered under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 125: Negligent acts endangering human life
- Section 271: Negligently spreading infections
- Section 318(4): Cheating
- Section 319(2): Cheating by personation
- Section 336(4): Forgery with intent to harm reputation
- Section 340(2): Using forged documents as genuine
- Section 112(2): Petty organized crime
During interrogation, Malakar admitted to purchasing fake medical certificates from a racket believed to be operating in the Barak Valley and other parts of the country.
Former MP Rajdeep Roy, speaking on the incident, said, “He was recommended by a senior doctor and given a chance to work as an assistant. He never independently performed surgeries — only assisted.” He added that suspicions about Malakar’s qualifications arose nearly a month ago, prompting an internal inquiry before the police acted on Saturday.
The accused has been sent to six-day police remand, and a detailed investigation is ongoing to uncover the broader network behind the fake degree racket.
