A charge sheet has been filed by the Agripada Police against pediatrician Dr Snehal Nyati who was found to play a key role in the organized scam of allegedly helping doctors obtain fake certificates of PG diplomas and fellowships offered by the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS). Dr Nyati was arrested in November 2018 under Indian Penal Code sections of cheating, forgery, breach of trust and using fake documents as genuine.

The Maharashtra Medical Council discovered the scam over two years ago when it came across a fake certificate submitted by a candidate. A state-wide probe was then launched.

Most fake degrees were of courses such as diploma in gynecology and obstetrics, diplomas in ophthalmic medicine, general surgery and cardiology, fellowships in surgery, medicine. Investigations revealed that nearly 77 doctors had failed the CPS examinations but procured passing certificates and had been practising on the basis of those degrees.

Twenty of these doctors were suspended in April 2018. The 20 doctors confessed that they had paid in lakhs to obtain the fake degrees. They also named a middleman who is a pediatrician.

The MMC then called 53 specialists for questioning. Further inquiry brought out 50 more doctors who pleaded guilty and submitted written apologies. These doctors were handed a one-year suspension. Seven more doctors, who did not turn up for the final hearing were handed a 5-year ban.

Doctors allegedly paid Rs 3-6 lakhs for fake certificates and Dr Nyati’s name figured as a key player in the scam. Dr Nyati’s registration has been permanently revoked by the MMC. The Bhoiwada police filed a charge sheet against the doctor, but he got out on bail.

The police informed that more arrests will be made in the case as there are more than 100 people involved in the scam, including 58 MBBS doctors who procured fake PG degrees from CPS.

In December 2018, 48 doctors were issued show cause notices by the state medical council. Inquiry had revealed that these doctors never appeared for the final medical exams.

Following all the inquiries, the state medical council failed to notice any satisfactory progress. The MMC thus demanded that the case be transferred to the Crime Branch by writing a letter to the Commissioner of Mumbai Police.

As per recent reports, a charge sheet has been filed against Dr Nyati who is in judicial custody. A real estate agent, Sajid Subedar, has been identified as the second accused in the case. He is out on bail.