Pune Police Book 17 Individuals in Diagnostic Fraud Case
Background of the Case
In a significant development, the Karad city police have registered a case against 17 individuals, including two doctors from Pune, linked to a private laboratory. This action comes after it was discovered that the lab was issuing diagnostic reports signed by a pathologist without conducting any tests or supervision.
The Complaint
The First Information Report (FIR) was filed by Dr. Yadav, a 52-year-old qualified pathologist who has operated the Pathology Laboratory in Karad since 2006. Dr. Yadav initiated the complaint upon uncovering the fraudulent activities of the private laboratory, which was deceiving patients.
Investigation and Findings
Following Dr. Yadav’s complaint in July 2023, the police sought guidance from the Maharashtra Medical Council and other relevant departments. Based on their recommendations, a case was officially registered against the 17 individuals on Tuesday evening. Among those booked, two are from Pune, with the remainder comprising six individuals from Navi Mumbai, eight from Karad, and one from Kolhapur.
Details of the Fraudulent Activities
According to a report by Hindustan Times, the lab was allegedly providing patients with reports generated by technicians using the name, scanned signature, and credentials of a pathologist.
Police Statements
Assistant Police Inspector Tabbasum Shadiwan, from the Karad city police station, stated, “Based on Dr. Yadav’s complaint, we have registered a case against 17 persons from the said private laboratory and its administration under section 33 of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act 1961, as well as sections 34 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860.”
The police reported that the private laboratory, situated at Bheda Chowk in Karad, had been conducting blood and urine tests without the supervision of a qualified pathologist. Despite this, the reports were issued in the name of a Pune-based doctor, a registered medical practitioner with a postgraduate degree in pathology but not affiliated with the lab. The laboratory began operations in February 2023.
Ongoing Investigations
Police sub-inspector Dipak Wagave, who is investigating the case, remarked, “We have issued notices to the accused from Karad and summoned others for inquiry. Investigations are ongoing to assess the extent of the alleged irregularities and the number of patients affected.”
Concerns Raised by Dr. Yadav
Dr. Yadav expressed that this situation represents only the beginning, highlighting the prevalence of illegal practices across various regions in Maharashtra. He emphasized, “Just to make money, people are playing with patients’ lives, which poses a public hazard. Many pathology labs are managed by technicians without a qualified pathologist. The district collector should take this issue seriously and initiate action against all such labs.”
Related Regulations
In a related discussion, it is noted that the Maharashtra Medical Council has affirmed that paramedical staff cannot release pathology lab reports without the signatures of a qualified PG Pathology practitioner.