Class 12 pass among 8 arrested for practising as doctors in Surat

Eight people accused of practising as doctors without recognised medical degrees were arrested in Surat following a joint operation by the city police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) and the district health department.

According to police, the accused were running clinics at eight different locations in the Pandesara area and treating patients despite not possessing the required medical qualifications. They had allegedly been practising for periods ranging from two to 10 years.

Police said they had received information that several people in Pandesara were posing as doctors and treating patients without valid medical qualifications. To verify the allegations, police and health department officials first sent dummy patients to the suspected clinics.

After the exercise confirmed the allegations, three teams comprising police and health department personnel were formed. The teams simultaneously raided eight clinics in Pandesara and apprehended the eight accused.

During the investigation, police found that the accused had varied educational and professional backgrounds. While some had studied only up to Class 12, others had completed BSc degrees. Some had previously worked as compounders or operation theatre assistants.