Fake chemist, doctors arrested for botched surgeries in Indian capital

Indian police have arrested a fake chemist who sent over 40 people for surgeries to Agarwal Medical Centre in south Delhi.

Investigation has revealed that “doctors” at the hospital performed medical procedures on patients without possessing the necessary degrees or authorisation.

The accused has been identified as Julfiqar (42), a resident of Prahladpur, who ran a clinic-cum-medicine shop in Sangam Vihar. The police said that Julfiqar used to sell homeopathy and allopathy medicines without a valid licence.

Last week, the police had arrested Neeraj Agarwal, his wife Pooja Agarwal, Mahender (ex-lab technician) and Jaspreet, who fabricated surgery notes of planned surgeries by unqualified individuals.

As per the police, eight people died during and after the medical procedures, while one patient lost her uterus at the said hospital.

On interrogation, Julfiqar told the police that he contacted Neeraj Agarwal after he found his number written on a card that was distributed by some boys in Sangam Vihar.

“Neeraj Agarwal agreed to give Julfiqar 35 per cent commission for each patient he referred. Julfiqar referred patients in need of operation such as stone removal or delivery to Agarwal’s clinic,” said Chandan Chowdhary, DCP (South).

Payments from Agarwal to Julfiqar were made through phone transactions linked to his mobile number. “Their association spanned for approximately 5-6 years. The latest referral was Asgar Ali, who unfortunately passed away during treatment,” said the DCP.

“The autopsy report of Asgar Ali indicated the cause of death as hemorrhagic shock due to complications from laparoscopic cholecystectomy,” the officer added.

In total, Julfiqar referred around 40 to 50 patients to Agarwal for various treatments, including delivery, abortion, and stone operations.

According to the police, on Oct.10, 2022, a woman from Sangam Vihar filed a complaint alleging that her husband underwent gallbladder stone removal at Agarwal Medical Centre on Sept.19, 2022.

Indo-Asian News Service