NHRC expresses concern over inaction in MP's "fake doctor" case

Damoh (Madhya Pradesh) [India], April 17 (ANI): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Member Priyank Kanungo on Wednesday raised serious concerns over the response of the health department in the case of a fake doctor who operated in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district, and who allegedly caused deaths of at least seven patients at a Hospital there.
Kanungo said the actions--or lack thereof--by health officials following the revelation of the doctor's forged documents were deeply troubling.
He further questioned the findings and approach of the Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) in the investigation, stating that it resulted in inaction, despite clear indications of fraud.
"The kind of action taken by the health department is concerning. The doctor's fake documents are prima facie information," said Kanungo.
"The investigation by CMHO has led them to inaction... When it is clear that someone has fake documents, then whether the surgery done by the person is right or not is no longer a matter of investigation. This was negligence on their part in the investigation," he said.
Earlier, Damoh Child Welfare Committee chairman Deepak Tiwari called for a full investigation into the matter after police arrested the man accused in the case.
On April 7, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that his government will take strict action in the case and highlighted that the State government would not make any delay in taking action against such cases and instructed that if there is any other such case in the State, the health department should take strict action against them.
An official said the FIR was registered against the person at the Kotwali police station in the district for fraud and presenting fake documents to get appointed at the mission hospital.
The "fake doctor" has been accused of posing as the British doctor N John Kem before, where in July of 2023, he had tweeted (now known as X), asking for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to be sent to France to stop the riots which ensued then. (ANI)