Gujarat HC Orders Investigation Against Doctor Accused Of Issuing Bogus Certificates To Aid Prisoners For Getting Bail

The Gujarat High Court recently while dealing with two applications seeking temporary bail on medical grounds directed the Investigating Officer to examine and verify the Medical Certificate issued by one Dr. M.L. Patel. The Court directed the said examination to take place under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Surat so that, correct and true facts be surfaced on record.

The Single Judge Bench of Justice M. K. Thakker in its order observed that "Prima-facie, it transpires that the said doctor namely Mr. M.L.Patel (Mr. Mahendra L Patel) is issuing such bogus Certificates in the name of different hospitals with different addresses." 

The High Court was considering two different bail applications when Justice Thakker noted that both applicants rely on a medical certificate issued by the name and stamp of Dr. M.L. Patel but with different hospital names. On examining the degree of Dr. Mr. M.L. Patel mentioned in the said Certificates, it transpired that the said doctor is having a degree of M.B.B.S., M.R.S.M.(UK).

The High Court further pursued the order of the Trial Court which mentioned that M.R.S.M. is not a degree and the doctor must be having a membership of that institution and that an M.B.B.S Doctor cannot perform surgery but the certificate issued by Dcotor Patel advised of Surgery. The Trial Court's order further mentioned that the Doctor is in the habit of issuing Medical Certificates in the name of different hospitals to aid prisoners in filing applications for bail before the Court of law.

The High Court also found that the Dcotor is having a criminal history and have multiple FIRs registered in his name. Accordingly, the Gujarat High Court was of the prima facie view that the Doctor was issuing bogus certificates and directed the Investigating Officer, Surat to probe the matter and submit a factual report on record. 

The High Court listed the matter for June 8, 2023, and directed the Registry to send a copy of this order to the Commissioner of Police, Surat, and Additional Public Prosecutor for onward communication.

Cause Title: Dilip Trinath Gauda v. State Of Gujarat 

Click here to read/download the Order