Earlier this month, 66-year-old Sanjay Rajesh Saxena, who lives in Isanpur, Ahmedabad, went for lunch at a nearby restaurant. While walking back to his car, he experienced severe pain in one of his legs and was limping. At that moment, a man approached him and suggested a “Mumbai-based doctor” named Dr. M Patil for treatment. The man provided Saxena with a phone number, and he promptly called to schedule a treatment session at his residence.
On December 17, Dr. Patil arrived at Saxena’s home, accompanied by his assistant, Raju Patil. They examined his knee, claiming it was infected with pus and required immediate attention. They informed him that the procedure would cost Rs 6,000 per “extraction.” After completing the procedure, Dr. Patil informed Saxena that he needed 153 extractions, amounting to a staggering bill of Rs 9 lakh. After some negotiation, the total was reduced to Rs 6 lakh, which Saxena paid in cash to Raju.
Later that day, when Saxena shared his experience with his daughter, she became suspicious. She searched online for Dr. M Patil, only to find no record of such a doctor or his clinic. Realizing he had been scammed, Saxena filed a complaint of cheating with the Isanpur police.
Police Sub-Inspector DA Baranda confirmed that the suspects were not doctors and that they had launched a search to arrest them. The investigation is ongoing.
The suspects were not doctors and we have launched a search to arrest them. The investigation is ongoing.DA Baranda, Police Sub-Inspector
In his complaint, Saxena explained that while leaving a hotel on CG Road on December 15, a man had approached him, claiming that his relative had been successfully treated by Dr. Patil. The man gave Saxena the doctor’s number, leading Saxena to contact him and arrange the home visit.
Saxena mentioned in the FIR that when he questioned Dr. Patil about the high charges, the doctor instructed him to deal with his assistant. After a brief exchange, Raju Patil agreed to reduce the cost but insisted that Saxena pay in cash. Saxena then withdrew Rs 6 lakh from his bank account and handed the cash over to Raju.
Later, Saxena told his daughter, Rasika, about the treatment and sent her the visiting card provided by the alleged doctor. When Rasika could not find any information about the clinic online, Saxena realized he had been deceived and promptly filed a complaint with the police.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)