By: Akanksha
The Gujarat Health Department, operating through 298 special teams in coordination with the local police, Crime Branch, and Special Operations Group (SOG), has identified 38 suspected fake and bogus doctors and registered First Information Reports (FIRs) against 35 of them in criminal cases. Conducted over 15 consecutive days across all districts of Gujarat, including cities such as Ahmedabad, Surat, and Rajkot, and detailed by Health Minister Praful Pansheriya in an official statement on Tuesday, the statewide crackdown targeted individuals allegedly practicing medicine without recognized medical qualifications to ensure that not a single fake doctor is allowed to endanger citizens’ health.
The intensive 15-day drive was carried out under the supervision of Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Rajiv Topno and Health Commissioner Ratankanvar Gadhvi Charan. To execute the checks across various areas for 15 consecutive days, the Health Department formed 298 special teams. These teams conducted joint inspections and operations across multiple districts in coordination with local police, Crime Branch, and Special Operations Group (SOG) officials.
Out of the 38 suspected fake doctors detected during the inspections, police registered FIRs against 35 individuals. The district-wise breakdown of identified cases is as follows:
Rajkot: Accounted for the highest number of cases, with suspected fake doctors identified and booked.
Surat: Followed in second place, with an unspecified number of cases.
Gir Somnath: Recorded three suspected cases.
Surendranagar: Reported two suspected cases.
Other Districts and Areas: The remaining cases were reported from other districts and areas, with one case each, taking the total number of registered FIRs to 35.
In a separate operation on October 29, 2026, the Surat City Police's Special Operations Group (SOG), in coordination with the District Health Department, arrested nine people during simultaneous raids on clinics in the Dindoli area. The authorities reportedly deployed dummy patients to verify allegations that individuals without recognized medical qualifications were treating patients.
According to reports, some of the accused had previously worked as hospital compounders or nurses before operating their own clinics. The authorities seized allopathic medicines, injections, syrups, and medical equipment collectively valued at Rs 95,138. Cases were registered against the nine accused at Dindoli police station, while the District Health Department said it would initiate separate proceedings under the Gujarat Clinical Establishments Act.
These arrests were reported as a separate operation.
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Under earlier government directives, the state government constituted multi-department district-level; committees to curb the practice, monitor activities, and take action against individuals practicing medicine without recognized qualifications. These committee comprise:
The Taluka Health Officer
The Medical Health Officer
The police sub-inspector and head constable of the concerned area
A multipurpose health supervisor
A senior clerk from the taluka health office
The village-level talati-cum-mantri (local revenue official) of the respective village or area
The district committees rely on field intelligence and information from local informers to identify suspected unauthorized practitioners who had shut their clinics and dispensaries and fled before the joint inspection teams could reach their premises. In response, the Health Department and police have continued searches and surveillance to trace the absconding suspects and initiate legal action against them.
Health Minister Praful Pansheriya stated that the campaign against fake doctors will continue with even greater force after Diwali and the festival season. Highlighting the government’s resolve, he stated that they are strongly determined to ensure that not a single fake doctor is allowed to endanger citizens’ health anywhere in the state.
The Health Department and Minister Pansheriya have appealed to citizens, local communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community representatives to report anyone suspected of practicing medicine illegally without a recognized degree.
Complaints can be registered at the nearest:
Primary Health Centre (PHC)
Community Health Centre (CHC)
Local police station
Special Operations Group (SOG)
Minister Pansheriya warned that seeking treatment from unqualified practitioners can expose patients to serious health complications, cause permanent physical harm, and put their lives at risk. He urged the public to seek treatment exclusively from registered practitioners holding recognized qualifications, including MBBS, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, or other government-approved medical courses. Furthermore, he pointed out that government hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) provide free treatment, medicines, and laboratory diagnostic services to the public.
The latest crackdown comes amid a longer-standing problem of alleged bogus medical practitioners in Gujarat. According to data presented by the state government in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly, authorities received 2,724 complaints about suspected bogus doctors between 2021 and 2023. The complaints increased from 839 in 2021 to 875 in 2022 and 1,010 in 2023.
Investigations identified 169 individuals with fake degrees, and FIRs were registered against 154 of them during the three-year period, according to a written response by Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya.
District-wise, Morbi recorded 577 complaints, Mehsana 568, and Surat 520. Despite receiving 577 complaints, no bogus doctor was identified in Morbi during the reported investigations.
(Rh/MSM/APC)