MAPUSA
The Goa Medical Council (GMC) has filed a complaint against Devendra Bhalla, accusing him of practicing medicine in the State without proper registration and submitting a fake MBBS degree.
GMC’s Anti-Quackery Officer Dr Dhanesh Volvoikar has lodged an official complaint with Agassaim Police, alleging forgery and quackery under Section 34 of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019 and sought filing of first information report (FIR) against the alleged fake doctor.
According to the complaint, Bhalla attempted to secure registration with the GMC by submitting a counterfeit MBBS degree from the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh.
Despite initially being granted permanent registration in 2004 after his documents were scrutinised, Bhalla failed to renew his registration in 2009. As a result, the GMC removed his name from their register following proper procedures.
In January this year, the GMC received an anonymous letter alleging that Bhalla had used a fake degree to obtain registration.
The council initiated an investigation and sought verification from the University of Rajshahi, which later confirmed that Bhalla's MBBS certificate was fraudulent.
As per Section 34 of the NMC Act, only individuals enrolled in a State or national register are authorised to practice modern medicine.
Practicing without such registration is classified as quackery and is punishable under Section 54 of the Act.
The GMC has notified medical councils across India about Bhalla's alleged fake degree and has urged them to verify whether he is registered or practicing in other States.
During a meeting on July 23, the GMC’s Executive Committee decided to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Bhalla for using forged credentials to obtain his registration.
Dr Volvoikar has called for a thorough investigation into the matter, requesting the Agassaim Police to take swift action against the accused.
"There are numerous quacks operating as medical practitioners with fake degrees in the State. Through this complaint, we aim to send a clear message that action will soon be taken against all such fraudulent practitioners," stated Dr Volvoikar.
