In a surprising incident at Yamunanagar, a doctor has been arrested by the district police for reportedly selling medicines under the false promise of ensuring the birth of male children. Dr. Ravinder Malik, who operated a clinic in Shastri Colony near Fountain Chowk, ended up in police custody after being accused of misconduct.
The arrest occurred following a raid conducted by a team from the Health Department, including Dr. Vipin Gondwal, Deputy Civil Surgeon (PNDT), and Dr. Shalini Saini, Medical Officer of Mukand Lal District Civil Hospital, Yamunanagar, on April 16. During the raid, it is alleged that Dr. Malik provided medication to a decoy, assuring her of conceiving a male child after completing the prescribed course.
Further investigation revealed that the decoy handed over two notes of Rs 500 as payment for the medicines. However, the subsequent scrutiny of Dr. Malik's clinic exposed several concerning irregularities. Despite requests from the health department team, the doctor failed to produce a valid drug license authorizing him to stock and dispense allopathic drugs. Additionally, he was unable to furnish any purchase bills for the allopathic drugs found on the premises.
Moreover, the raid uncovered 13 types of allopathic drugs that were past their expiration dates, rendering them unfit for human consumption. This alarming discovery underscores the gravity of the situation and raises questions about the ethical conduct and professionalism of healthcare practitioners.
In response to these findings, the police have taken decisive action, registering a case against Dr. Ravinder Malik under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, the Indian Medical Council Act, the National Medical Commission Act, and relevant provisions of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PC PNDT) Act.
Following his arrest, Dr. Malik was presented before a duty magistrate, who remanded him to police custody for four days. Subsequently, a police team was dispatched to Chamba in Himachal Pradesh and Moga in Punjab for further investigation and the recovery of undisclosed items pertinent to the case.
The importance of stringent regulatory oversight within the healthcare sector to protect the well-being of patients is highlighted in this incident. It underlines the necessity for strong steps to tackle fraudulent practices and protect the integrity of the medical profession.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to delve deeper into the matter to determine the extent of Dr. Malik's reported misconduct and to ensure that justice is served. In the meantime, residents of Yamunanagar and beyond are urged to exercise caution and vigilance when seeking medical assistance, emphasizing the importance of verifying the credentials and authenticity of healthcare providers.
(Input from various media sources)
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary/MSM)
