A man posing as a qualified dental professional has been arrested in Hyderabad for allegedly operating an unlicensed clinic for several years.
Police identified the accused as Ramesh Kumar Gupta, who allegedly practiced dentistry without holding any recognized medical or dental qualification.
Police stated that Gupta is a native of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and relocated to Telangana about 25 years ago. He first lived in Kagaznagar before later moving to Neredmet.
According to police, he allegedly gained basic exposure to dental procedures by working as an assistant at a dental clinic earlier, which he later used to independently treat patients despite lacking formal qualifications.
The arrest was carried out on March 24, 2026, during a police raid at a dental clinic located in Old Neredmet in Hyderabad’s Malkajgiri area. The clinic had reportedly been functioning for more than a decade, serving local residents who sought dental care.
The operation was conducted by the Special Operations Team of the Medchal-Malkajgiri zone along with Neredmet police following credible information about illegal medical practice.
The case came to light after police received specific information about a suspected unqualified practitioner. A joint operation by the Special Operations Team and local police led to an inspection of the clinic.
During a surprise inspection conducted around 2 pm, officials found that the accused, Ramesh Kumar Gupta (46), was operating the clinic without holding a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree.
Further verification showed that he had not pursued education beyond the school level and had allegedly relied on fabricated credentials to claim he was a qualified dentist.
Police also seized dental equipment and materials from the clinic during the raid as part of the investigation.
According to officials, the accused had been running the clinic for approximately 14 years. During this period, he reportedly provided various dental treatments and collected consultation fees from patients. Reports indicate that he often operated at hours that reduced the likelihood of regulatory inspection.
Patients who visited the clinic were reportedly unaware that the services were being provided by an untrained individual.
Authorities noted that the clinic catered primarily to economically weaker sections, where patients often rely on low-cost local practitioners.
Police have registered a case against the accused for cheating and practicing medicine without valid credentials. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of his activities, including the number of patients treated and whether forged documents were used.
The accused has been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating and impersonation, along with provisions related to unlawful medical practice.
Officials are also examining if there were any additional individuals involved in supporting or facilitating the clinic’s operations.
(Rh/SS/MSM)