Guwahati High Court Reviews Anti-Quackery Measures

Background of the Case

The Guwahati High Court is conducting an in-depth examination of the efforts made by the Anti-quackery and Vigilance Cell of the Assam Council of Medical Registration (ACMR) to combat quackery within the state. The court has requested the government’s feedback on a number of proposals aimed at enhancing enforcement mechanisms. This review is part of a public interest litigation (PIL No. 34/2023) initiated by Dr. Abhijit Neog, who holds the position of Anti-quackery and Vigilance Officer at ACMR.

Actions Taken and Recommendations

In response to previous court directives, Dr. Neog recently filed an affidavit outlining the measures executed by the Anti-quackery and Vigilance Cell, along with suggestions for improved identification and control of quackery. Senior advocate I. Chowdhury, representing Dr. Neog, appeared before the division bench consisting of Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury. Chowdhury indicated that since Dr. Neog’s appointment, the Anti-quackery and Vigilance Cell has identified 47 quacks across Assam, with FIRs filed against the majority and several arrests made.

Concerns Regarding Operational Effectiveness

Despite the establishment of Anti-quackery Units in all districts, functioning under the supervision of the Director of Health Services, Assam, Chowdhury expressed concerns regarding the clarity on their operational effectiveness.

Proposals for Improved Control of Quackery

Chowdhury presented several recommendations for enhancing the fight against quackery in Assam. These include the formation of a Central Monitoring and Coordinating Committee tasked with overseeing the operations of various Quackery Units in the districts. The proposed committee would encompass the Director of Health Services, the Registrar of ACMR, the Registrar of the State Council of Indian Medicines (SCIM), a Police Officer, and representatives from recognized medical professional bodies such as the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and certain law officers.

Additional Recommendations

Other suggested measures involve establishing a toll-free helpline for reporting quackery, creating an online database of doctors registered with the ACMR, and setting up a dedicated Anti-quackery Cell within the Home and Political Department. This cell would be modeled after specialized units such as the Cyber Crime Cell and staffed with officers trained specifically for this purpose.

Government’s Response

The state’s Additional Advocate General, B. Gogoi, informed the court that the government is already making sustained efforts to tackle quackery in Assam. He stated that the suggestions made by the petitioner will be evaluated and potentially integrated into ongoing government initiatives. Gogoi also assured the court that the state would investigate whether quacks released on bail have resumed their illegal activities.

Future Considerations

Furthermore, the Additional Advocate General mentioned that the government is contemplating the establishment of a statutory framework to control quackery, and any developments regarding this will be promptly communicated to the bench. He expressed optimism that implementing these measures could significantly reduce the issue of quackery, potentially leading to the closure of the petition.

Next Steps

The matter has been adjourned until March 12, 2026, as the bench awaits the government’s final response to the suggestions presented.