On Wednesday, a 24-year-old man was taken into custody for allegedly pretending to be a doctor at the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in central Delhi. The accused, identified as Ashutosh Tripathi, 24, is a resident of Burari.

As per an official, Burari resident Ashutosh Tripathi was wearing a stethoscope and had a doctor's coat in his bag when he was apprehended from the emergency department on Tuesday.

Senior resident Rahul Dhamija of the surgery department filed a complaint against Ashutosh. The complaint led to the registration of a FIR at the North Avenue police station under Section 170 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with impersonating public servants.

As per an officer, Tripathi initially identified himself as a doctor and then as a medical student when he was questioned by hospital authorities. The hospital informed the police, suspicious of his credentials.

The accused admitted to the police during interrogation that he was studying for the NEET medical entrance exam and that he attempted the test last year but was unsuccessful.

The officer said that the accused would love to wear the doctor's apron and stethoscope. But he failed to reveal the source of these articles, adding that it appears that he entered the hospital with the intention of theft.

He also informed the police that a friend had called to ask him to meet at the hospital, but the officer stated that there was no way to confirm his statements.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Komal Bhoi/MSM)