A 28-year-old pregnant woman died after an illegal cesarean section at an unregistered hospital in Uttar Pradesh.
Police arrested two accused, including a BA graduate and a Class 12 student, for performing the surgery without medical qualifications.
The woman developed severe bleeding and died while being referred to a higher medical centre.
Authorities sealed the illegal hospital, which had reportedly operated without registration for several years.
Health officials launched an investigation and initiated inspections to identify other unregistered healthcare facilities.
A 28-year-old pregnant woman died after undergoing a caesarean section allegedly performed by two unqualified individuals at an unregistered hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Ambedkar Nagar district. Police arrested the accused and sealed the facility following an investigation. Authorities also booked the accused under relevant sections related to causing death by negligence and illegal medical practice.
The deceased, identified as Priyanka, was admitted to Navjeevan Hospital in the Baskhari area on 5 February 2026 for delivery. According to police officials, Yogesh Verma, a 32-year-old Bachelor of Arts graduate, and Shubham Vishwakarma, a 19-year-old Class 12 student, allegedly performed a caesarean section despite lacking formal medical qualifications or surgical training. Reports stated that Yogesh Verma allegedly posed as a doctor and ran the facility despite not holding any recognized medical degree.
Priyanka delivered a baby girl after the surgery. However, she developed excessive bleeding following the procedure and did not regain consciousness after receiving anesthesia.
Police stated that her condition deteriorated soon after the surgery, and the accused referred her to another hospital when complications became unmanageable. She was first taken to a hospital in Akbarpur and later referred to Lucknow for advanced treatment. She died while being transported.
Family members later alleged negligence and improper treatment, following which authorities were alerted and an investigation was initiated.
Police arrested both accused and registered a case related to illegal medical practice and negligence. Officials confirmed that neither of the accused held any recognized medical degree or authorization to perform surgical procedures. Police also confirmed that the accused had no registration with the Uttar Pradesh Medical Council or any other regulatory body.
Investigators stated that the hospital had been operating illegally for nearly five years from a residential building without registration, biomedical waste authorization, fire safety clearance, or qualified medical staff. Officials found that the facility lacked mandatory approvals under the Clinical Establishments Act and did not meet mandatory licensing, infrastructure, staffing, and safety standards required under Indian healthcare regulations.
Authorities sealed the premises on 8 February after a joint inspection by health officials and local administration. Police reported that the accused allegedly charged between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 per caesarean procedure, which reportedly attracted patients due to lower costs compared with regulated healthcare facilities.
The hospital operator, identified as Ruby, fled the premises and remains absconding. Authorities seized medical equipment and documents from the facility and launched further investigation. Police stated that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the absconding operator.
According to police statements, Yogesh Verma reportedly gained limited exposure to medical procedures by assisting his father, who worked as a ward boy at a community health centre. Shubham Vishwakarma allegedly assisted him during procedures and claimed to have learned by observing medical staff at other healthcare facilities.
Investigators said neither individual had formal medical education, surgical certification, or legal authorization to administer anaesthesia or perform caesarean sections.
Officials are investigating whether the accused conducted similar illegal procedures at other facilities. The Chief Medical Officer ordered verification of all medical credentials associated with the hospital and warned of strict action against unregistered healthcare establishments. Health department officials also initiated inspections of other private healthcare centres in the district to identify illegal or unregistered facilities.
A cesarean section is a major surgical procedure performed to deliver a baby through incisions in the abdomen and uterus. It requires trained surgeons, sterile operating conditions, proper anaesthesia administration, and continuous monitoring. Administration of anesthesia requires trained professionals because improper dosing or monitoring can result in respiratory arrest, cardiovascular collapse, or death.
Complications can include severe bleeding, infection, anaesthesia-related complications, organ injury, and thromboembolic events. Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality and requires immediate management by trained medical professionals with access to blood transfusion and emergency care.
Performing such procedures without proper training, sterile infrastructure, anaesthesia expertise, or emergency support significantly increases the risk of life-threatening complications and death.
Maternal deaths due to preventable causes such as unsafe surgical practices and lack of trained medical care remain a significant public health concern, particularly in unregulated healthcare settings.
Authorities reiterated that performing surgical procedures without medical qualification or authorization violates legal and medical safety standards.
Following the incident, district authorities constituted a committee to review maternal deaths and identify possible regulatory failures. Health officials stated that strict action would be taken against individuals or institutions found responsible for illegal medical practice. Health officials stated that inspections have been intensified to prevent illegal medical practice and protect patient safety.
Authorities confirmed that the hospital was sealed and its operations were stopped pending investigation.
Police stated that the investigation remains ongoing and additional legal action may follow based on forensic findings and detailed medical examination reports.
World Health Organization. Trends in Maternal Mortality 2000 to 2020: Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and UNDESA Population Division. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2023. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240068759.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India: Sample Registration System (SRS) Special Bulletin. New Delhi: Registrar General of India, 2022. https://censusindia.gov.in.
World Health Organization. “Maternal Mortality.” Accessed February 2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/maternal-mortality.
