Surat, Gujarat — In a significant crackdown on illegal medical practices, Surat police have arrested two individuals posing as qualified doctors and providing medical treatments without valid degrees. The suspects, Lalita Kripa Shankar Singh and Prayag Ramchandra Prasad, were found operating a clinic in Surat, where they were prescribing allopathic medications to patients despite having no medical qualifications.
Investigation and Arrests
Deputy Commissioner of Police Vijay Singh Gurjar revealed that Lalita, who only completed education up to Class 12, and Prayag, who finished only Class 10, were arrested after an investigation uncovered their lack of any legitimate medical certifications. During the raid on their clinic, authorities seized a range of medicines and relevant documents for further examination.
The arrests were made by Umra Police Station in coordination with the local Health Department as part of an ongoing effort to identify and eliminate fake doctors operating within the city. Authorities are currently investigating the length of time they had been running their operation and the scope of their fraudulent practices. Legal proceedings against the duo are underway.
Previous Busts in the City
This arrest follows a recent crackdown in Pandesara, where police dismantled a long-running fake doctor racket, leading to the arrest of 14 individuals, including the masterminds behind the operation. The racket had allegedly allowed over 1,500 unqualified individuals to practice as doctors across Surat.
The scheme was headed by Dr. B.K. Ravat and Dr. Rasesh Gujarati, both from Ahmedabad, who were found to be issuing counterfeit Bachelor of Electro Homeopathic Medicine (BEMS) degrees for a fee of Rs 75,000 each. The fraudulent degrees were reportedly from a non-existent “Board of Electro Homeopathic Medicine,” based in Ahmedabad.
The Racket’s Financial Reach
Initial investigations indicate that the racket earned over Rs 10 crore through its illicit activities. Dr. Ravat, who holds a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree, and Dr. Gujarati, with a Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery (DHMS), allegedly issued these fake degrees to at least 1,500 people, enabling them to practice medicine without any formal qualifications.
Authorities found unqualified practitioners running several clinics, including Kavita Clinic, Prince Clinic, and Shreyan Clinic in Pandesara. A raid at Dr. Gujarati’s residence in Rander resulted in the seizure of several incriminating documents, further exposing the depth of the fraudulent operations.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing their investigation into these widespread illegal practices, with plans to take further legal actions against the individuals involved. The police are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious medical activities to help combat the rise of fake doctors.
