Pune Doctors among 17 booked for issuing pathologist-signed diagnostic reports without conducting tests
Pune: A total of 17 individuals, including two Pune-based doctors associated with a private laboratory, have been booked by the Karad city police after it was found that the lab was issuing diagnostic reports signed by a pathologist, even though no tests were ever conducted or supervised.
The FIR was filed by Dr Yadav, a 52-year-old qualified pathologist, who had been running Pathology Laboratory in Karad since 2006. After discovering that a private laboratory was involved in duping patients, Dr. Yadav filed a complaint in this regard.
Following the police complaint filed back in July 2023, the police sought the opinion of the Maharashtra Medical Council, Mumbai, in this regard, along with other concerned departments. Based on their feedback, an offence was registered against 17 people on Tuesday evening. Among these 17 individuals, two were doctors from Pune. Apart from them, six people from Navi Mumbai, eight from Karad, and one from Kolhapur have also been booked.
Also Read: Only MCI registered PG Pathology can sign Laboratory Reports: Supreme Court
As per the latest media report by Hindustan Times, the concerned lab was issuing the patients with reports that were prepared. by technicians and other individuals while using the name, scanned signature, and credentials of a pathologist.
Commenting on the matter, the Assistant Police Inspector Tabbasum Shadiwan, attached to Karad city police station, said, "Based on Dr Yadav’s complaint, we have registered a case against 17 persons from the said private laboratory and its administration under section 33 of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners Act 1961; and sections 34 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860."
Police have stated that the private laboratory, located at Bheda Chowk, Karad, had been conducting blood and urine tests without the physical presence or supervision of a qualified pathologist. Despite this, the test reports were being issued in the name of a Pune-based doctor, who is a registered medical practitioner with a postgraduate degree in pathology, but who is not affiliated with the lab. Reportedly, the laboratory started its operations in February 2023.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Police sub-inspector Dipak Wagave, who is attached to Karad city police station and is investigating the case, said, "We have issued notice to the accused from Karad and summoned others to be present for the inquiry. Investigations are underway to determine the extent of the alleged irregularities and the number of patients affected."
Meanwhile, Dr. Yadav claimed that this is just the tip of the iceberg and such illegal practices are rampant in several parts of Maharashtra. He added, "Just to make money, people are playing with patients’ lives which is a public hazard. In many pathology labs, the centres are run by technicians without a qualified pathologist. The district collector should take this issue seriously and start taking action against all such labs."
