Allegations of unregistered practice
Mumbai: A Telangana-registered pathologist has been accused of signing pathology reports for multiple laboratories across Maharashtra despite not being registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC), a mandatory requirement to practise in the state.
Issue flagged by pathologists’ association
The matter was raised by the Maharashtra Association of Practising Pathologists and Microbiologists (MAPPM) after laboratory reports bearing the doctor’s name and signature surfaced in districts such as Beed, Nashik, Jalgaon and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
Complaint filed with authorities
MAPPM filed a formal complaint with the Maharashtra Medical Council and the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMP), seeking action against the doctor and the laboratories involved. The association stated that the doctor is currently working as an assistant professor at a private medical college in Tamil Nadu and has been registered with the Telangana Medical Council since 2013.
Reports traced across districts
According to the association, it received several laboratory reports carrying the doctor’s name, qualifications and signature. Subsequent inspections found her name displayed at laboratories in different Maharashtra districts, despite her professional base being outside the state.
MMC verification raises red flag
During verification, the MMC confirmed that no doctor with the said name was registered with the council. Further checks revealed that she was registered only with the Telangana Medical Council, which was also confirmed by authorities in Telangana.
Legal provisions cited
MAPPM cited Supreme Court and High Court rulings stating that laboratory tests must be conducted and certified by a pathologist registered with the relevant state medical council. It added that under Section 33 of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act, 1961, issuing reports without valid registration amounts to practising as a bogus doctor, a cognisable and non-bailable offence.
Action sought against labs and doctor
The association filed a complaint with the CSMP on January 20, 2026, seeking action against laboratories where no registered pathologist is employed and against the concerned doctor for allegedly signing reports without lawful authority.
Council forwards complaint
Dr Prasad Kulkarni, Executive Council member of MAPPM, said multiple instances of the doctor’s signatures were found on lab reports, prompting the complaint. He added that while the MMC acknowledged the representation, it stated that the issue did not fall within its jurisdiction and forwarded the matter to the Telangana Medical Council for further action.
