Victim’s Death Sparks Police Action
Mumbai: A 42-year-old rickshaw driver died in Chembur shortly after receiving treatment and an injection from an unqualified practitioner, prompting the Chunabhatti police to register a case. Authorities confirmed that the accused had no medical qualifications and was practising medicine illegally.
Family Alleges Negligence
The case was filed following a complaint by the victim’s wife, who alleged that the man posing as a doctor misled the family and administered unsafe medical treatment, leading to her husband’s untimely death.
Timeline of Events
According to the FIR, the deceased had a molar extraction at the Lions Club Charitable Trust Hospital on December 7, 2024. Despite the procedure, he continued working that day. By the following afternoon, he developed severe swelling and pain near the extraction site.
Treatment by the Quack
As the hospital was closed on Sunday, the family sought alternative care at Om Clinic in Sumannagar, Chembur, where the accused presented himself as a doctor. He reportedly examined the patient, administered an injection near the waist, and prescribed oral medication, charging Rs 400. Shortly afterward, the patient developed breathing difficulties. When the family returned to the clinic, the accused allegedly refused further treatment and advised them to go elsewhere. The patient was taken to Sion Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Investigation Reveals Fake Credentials
A probe by the BMC’s Medical Health Officer revealed that the accused was not a registered medical practitioner and held no recognised medical degree. Police booked him under multiple IPC sections, including cheating, impersonation, and causing death by negligence, along with provisions of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act.
Family Demands Strict Action
Speaking to TOI, the victim’s wife, Sharmiladevi Jha, stated that her husband was the sole breadwinner, and his sudden death has left the family devastated. She has urged authorities to take strict action against the quack to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
