In a decisive move, the Punjab and Haryana High Court refused bail to an unregistered medical practitioner accused of causing a man’s death through improper treatment. The accused, Mohammad Faheem, allegedly operated a clinic in Aliyar village, Gurugram, without any formal medical qualifications, which led to a tragic outcome in 2022.
Justice Namit Kumar, presiding over the case, underscored the gravity of the situation, pointing out that Faheem had not only practiced medicine unlawfully but had also attempted to cover up his actions by disposing of the victim’s body near a paying guest facility. The Court emphasized the broader threat posed by unregistered medical practitioners, noting that such individuals are a danger to public health, contributing to misdiagnoses, improper treatments, and worsening patient conditions across India.
The case against Faheem, brought by the victim’s uncle, Ram Avatar, detailed how the deceased, Leeladhar, sought treatment from Faheem for a fever shortly before his death. Avatar’s suspicions were heightened by CCTV footage showing Leeladhar visiting Faheem’s clinic the day before his demise. The prosecution claims that Faheem, along with an accomplice, Shubham, left Leeladhar’s body on the roadside after his death.
Faheem’s defense argued that the death resulted from natural causes, as indicated in the post-mortem report, and that Faheem had only administered an antibiotic injection with no intent to cause harm. However, the Court maintained that crucial medical evidence was still pending and could not be ignored, particularly in a case involving a serious charge under Section 304(ii) IPC, which carries a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison.
Despite the defense’s arguments, the High Court concluded that it was too early to dismiss the charges, given the ongoing investigation and the pending scientific evidence. The denial of bail sends a strong message about the consequences of practicing medicine without proper qualifications and the potential dangers it poses to society.
