NAGPUR, MA — The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against a city-based doctor accused of obtaining confidential patient data to divert business for personal monetary gain. The court emphasized that the material on record suggests a prima facie case of cheating that warrants a full trial.
Case Origins: The Data Diversion Plot
The legal dispute originated from a complaint at the Dhantoli Police Station, alleging the doctor colluded with a competitor’s receptionist to steal patient data and fees between February and April 2022. Investigations revealed deleted records, missing funds, and evidence of the receptionist receiving commissions for sharing patient contact details via WhatsApp.
High Court’s Observations
Justice Urmila Joshi Phalke maintained the charges, including Section 420 (Cheating) and Section 66 (IT Act), finding that the evidence suggested a deliberate intent to cause financial harm to the complainant. The court dismissed the argument that this was merely an ethical dispute, underscoring that using illicit methods to divert patients constitutes a criminal offense. Details of the ruling can be found in the original reporting
