Doctors' body raises alarm over 'ghost signatures' by dead pathologists on lab reports in Maharashtra
Mumbai: A doctors' body has raised alarm over the practice of 'ghost signatures' on pathology reports in Maharashtra. In a recent shocking case, a pathologist who died on June 23, 2025, was still shown as signing laboratory reports until November 2025.
The deceased doctor’s signature appeared on four pathology reports issued by different laboratories. This suggests that the labs were allegedly misusing the signature of a qualified medical professional even after his death.
The matter surfaced after an insurance company noticed irregularities in the lab reports and alerted the Maharashtra Association of Practising Pathologists and Microbiologists (MAPPM). Following this, the association examined the reports and found four instances where reports were issued under the deceased doctor’s name after his death.
When asked about any action taken in this regard, Dr Sandeep Yadav, President of MAPPM, told Medical Dialogues, "We will send mail to the authorities. We received information about reports from insurance companies and other citizens."
Dr Prasad Kulkarni, Executive member of MAPPM, said that clear authority guidelines and court orders state that technicians cannot run pathology laboratories independently or sign diagnostic reports. Only a qualified pathologist is legally permitted to supervise the laboratory work and validate reports.
However, he stated that in order to fulfil these legal requirements on paper, many laboratories are merely showing the name of a registered pathologist in their records. In reality, the pathologist may not be physically present in the lab or actively supervising the testing process.
"The actual presence of pathologist to supervise the lab proceedings is very much neglected by most of the medical professionals. Only signature is given stress more than actual involvement in the process. We have seen types of Ghost pathologists who are just lending names may be from other states," he said.
Medical Dialogues had reported several such incidents in which a Telangana-registered pathologist has been accused of signing pathology reports for multiple laboratories across Maharashtra despite not being registered with the Maharashtra Medical Council, which is mandatory for practising in the state.
In a recent incident, the signature of a pathologist who passed away nearly three months ago continued to appear on fresh laboratory reports across six different locations in Maharashtra. The pathologist had died on November 20, 2025. However, reports signed in his name continued to be issued even after his demise.
Also read- Maharashtra medical council to take action on 'ghost signature' on lab reports
