BELAGAVI, 26 JUNE

A network of fake doctors and illegal medical practitioners has been uncovered in Belagavi district, as police arrested one on Wednesday. The local authorities have imposed multiple raids, arrests, and penalties.

The crackdown began after the discovery of a feticide and child-selling network run by a fake doctor in Kittur. This prompted the health department to conduct extensive raids in various taluks in the district. 

In Keruru village of Chikkodi taluk, a team led by District Health Officer Dr Mahesh Koni raided Dr Mulla’s Clinic on 25 June. The inspection revealed that the clinic's operator, Riyaz Mulla, was a fake doctor who had only studied up to PUC level. Deputy Commissioner of Belagavi Nitesh Patil sentenced Mulla to one week in jail and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

Another raid, in Badakal Galli, exposed a clinic named Shiva where Dr S Devanagamvi was found dispensing ayurvedic medicine while displaying an MBBS board. The authorities issued a notice and seized the clinic. At Guru Krupa clinic in Chawata Galli officials discovered the facility was being run illegally by Dr Naveed Sheikh. Various medical equipment, including X-ray machines, were found on the premises. The clinic owner, Umesh Acharya, was issued a notice to respond within a week. -Salar News