Police in Surat, Gujarat, have arrested nine people accused of running clinics and treating patients without recognised medical qualifications, following simultaneous raids in the city's Dindoli area on 29 October 2026.

The operation was carried out by the Surat City Special Operations Group (SOG) with teams from the district health department. Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeepsinh Nakum, who heads the SOG, said several locations were raided at the same time. A case has been registered at Dindoli police station.

What police found

According to police, the accused had educational backgrounds ranging from Class 10 or Class 12 to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Some had previously worked as compounders or clinical assistants, and others had studied pharmacy or electropathy, none of which qualifies a person to practise modern medicine. Police were reported as saying that some of the accused allegedly relied on fake degrees.

The clinics had allegedly been operating for periods ranging from six months to about 10 years. Officials seized medicines, injections, syrups and medical equipment worth about Rs 95,138. Before the raids, the SOG sent dummy patients to the clinics to confirm that untrained people were treating patients, Aaj Tak and IANS reported.

The district health department said it would start separate proceedings under the Clinical Establishments Act. Those arrested are accused and have not been convicted.

A recurring problem

Surat police have carried out several similar drives in recent months. Unqualified practitioners often work in densely populated, low-income neighbourhoods where patients may not ask about credentials.

How patients can check

Anyone who practises modern medicine in India must be registered with the National Medical Commission or a state medical council. Patients can ask to see a doctor's registration number and check it on the Indian Medical Register or the state council's website. A degree certificate on the wall is not proof on its own. Complaints about suspected unqualified practice can be made to the district health officer or local police.

Sources

This News Desk report summarises information published by the sources above, written in our own words. Persons named in criminal matters are accused, not convicted, unless a court has ruled otherwise. To report an error, use our contact page.

GujaratSuratFake doctorsMedical qualificationsClinical Establishments Act

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