Over 965 fake doctors traced in K'taka in 1.5 years, with highest numbers in Bidar, Kolar, Tumakuru
Bengaluru: In the past one and half years, Karnataka’s health department has traced and taken action against 967 individuals posing as doctors.
According to state health department data, as cited by Deccan Herald on Monday, at least 967 quacks or fake doctors have been found operating throughout the state between September 2023 and January 2025.
The district health and family welfare officers have served notices to 449 fake doctors, closed 228 fake clinics, seized 167 more clinics, and imposed penalties on 96 people as of February 2025. Additionally, more than 70 cases have been filed in various district courts.
Among the districts with the highest number of fake doctors are Bidar (213), Kolar (115), and Tumakuru (112). Dr Vivek Dorai, the deputy director of the state health department, noted that these districts, being border areas, make it easier for individuals from neighbouring states to set up temporary practices. These regions also lack the concentration of health facilities seen in Bengaluru, which contributes to the higher numbers.
“Health officers are also overburdened; they cannot check every establishment in Bengaluru but in other districts, where the total number of establishments is lesser, it's easier to conduct inspections," Dr Dorai was quoted as saying by DH.
Fake doctors include those who are unqualified, those who might be qualified but not registered and recognised under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, added the report. This category also includes individuals practicing medicine outside their trained field, such as cross practice, and those who do not comply with KPME regulations.
Dr Dorai, who oversees Medical Acts in Karnataka, mentioned that the health department also classifies practitioners who follow familial traditions without formal degrees or training, as well as those practicing acupuncture and other forms of traditional medicine that are not regulated by a board or council as fake under the Act.
He further explained that some individuals who work as support staff, such as D-group employees, may later set up their own practices after forging documents or obtaining a general degree from a small institution.
Severe violations, such as unqualified quack performing procedures that result in complications or death, can result in fines of up to Rs 1 lakh and imprisonment for up to three years.
For unregistered practitioners, penalties usually involve fines rather than jail time. Dr Dorai noted that while the Act provides guidelines for action, decisions are often made on a case-by-case basis, and accused can appeal the decision in the high court.
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TN CM Vijay calls fuel price hike ‘unacceptable’, seeks rollback
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Friday slammed the increase of Rs 3 per litre in petrol and diesel prices, calling it "unacceptable", and demanded its immediate rollback, claiming the revision would affect various sections of society.
He said oil marketing companies do not reduce prices in line with global crude price trends and "take the profits".
"Union government oil marketing companies have increased the price of petrol and diesel by Rs 3 per litre. This is not acceptable," Vijay said in a statement.
The hike has been effected after the "five-state polls" (four states and one union territory), he added.
This price rise will largely affect the income of the poor and middle class using two-wheelers and small vehicles, as well as others dependent on vehicles for their livelihood, the CM said.
It will ultimately result in an increase in the prices of daily commodities and also "affect the purchasing power of the poor," he added.
Citing the chain effect of the price revision, such as increased input costs for small units, he said it could lead to a "slowdown" in the market and exports.
"Therefore, I urge the union government to immediately roll back the price hike that will affect the poor and middle-class people and SMEs," Vijay added.
Global crude oil prices have surged more than 50 per cent since US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and Tehran’s subsequent retaliation, which disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments.
Petrol and diesel prices are now at their highest level since May 2022.
