Fake medical degree scam uncovered in Surat, Ahmedabad, over 1,200 bogus degrees sold
Updated: Dec 6th, 2024
In a major fake degree scam involving bogus medical degrees being sold in Surat and Ahmedabad, police have arrested several individuals and seized evidence from various locations.
The scam was led by Dr Rasesh Gujarati from Gopipura and Dr B K Rawat from Ahmedabad. Following the discovery of the scam, raids were conducted at their homes, where police discovered a list of 1,630 fake doctors allegedly registered on Dr Rawat’s website.
The Pandesara police received a tip-off that two persons named Devanath and Kailash from Kailash Chowk had started clinics in the area and were practicing medicine without any medical degree. Acting on this information, police raided the clinic in Pandora and seized a large stock of medications from the clinic, and also raided Shreyank Clinic in Ishwar Nagar, recovering medicines worth ₹55,210. During questioning, the accused revealed that they had procured fake degrees from Dr Rasesh Gujarati.
Gujarati and Rawat had set up two schemes to sell fake degrees. In the first scheme, they charged ₹70,000 for a fake BEMS degree, allowing the buyer to run a clinic and practice medicine. The buyer had to pay ₹1,500 annually for registration and an additional ₹1,500 for an association fee. In the second scheme, they sold degrees for ₹70,000, but also required a monthly “protection money” fee.
One of the individuals who purchased a fake degree, Vijay Yadav, was forced to pay the registration and protection fees to run a clinic. When he refused, Gujarati allegedly threatened to kill him. During the investigation, it was found that some individuals who received fake degrees from these doctors were also involved in cases where patients died due to improper treatment.
Gujarati had sold over 1,000 fake degrees, and evidence from Rawat’s office revealed the collection of ₹1,500 for registration fees from several doctors. If anyone refused to renew their registration or pay the protection money, they were threatened with notices.
Gujarati paid ₹5,000 to those who brought in new customers, and Rawat received a commission of 30% of the total fee. Raids were also carried out at health complexes and other properties associated with the suspects, where police found several documents, including registration forms, doctors’ records, application forms for BEMS degrees, notices issued by Dr Rawat, high court orders, identity cards, and other certificates.
This scam, involving fake medical degrees, has jeopardised public health by allowing unqualified individuals to practice medicine, putting patients’ lives at risk.
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