Faridabad, June 10, 2025 — A shocking medical fraud case has come to light at Badshah Khan Civil Hospital in Faridabad, where an MBBS doctor, posing as a cardiologist, allegedly performed more than 50 cardiac procedures over eight months before authorities uncovered the deception.
Posing as a Specialist
The accused, named Pankaj Mohan Sharma, held only a basic MBBS qualification and did not possess any postgraduate specialization in cardiology. According to police and hospital officials, he secured his position at the heart‑care centre—run by Mediterina Hospital under a public‑private partnership (PPP)—in July 2023 after submitting forged documents and a stolen identity.
Sharma allegedly operated with the stolen National Medical Commission (NMC) registration number, 2456, belonging to a real Faridabad‑based cardiologist named Dr. Pankaj Mohan. In contrast, Sharma’s actual registration (28482) was valid only for general practice. His prescriptions, letterheads, and seal falsely displayed credentials such as “MD” and “DNB (Cardiology)” .
Deception Unravels
The fraud came to public notice in April 2025, when a concerned patient sought follow‑up care from the real Dr. Pankaj Mohan and found no records of his association with the hospital. This individual disclosed that the jacket credentials belonged to a different doctor, triggering alarm among others treated by Sharma.
Further investigations revealed at least 50 patients underwent various cardiac treatments—ranging from consultations and angiograms to stent implantations—under Sharma’s supervision. Tragically, several patients developed post‑operative complications; some even died days after their procedures. One grieving relative, Raja Ram, reported that his father died a day after a stent operation carried out by Sharma in January 2025.
Legal Action & Official Response
The scandal prompted social activist and lawyer Sanjay Gupta to file an official complaint at NIT Faridabad police station on April 11, alleging possession of forged medical credentials. An FIR was promptly registered against Sharma and the heart‑centre management.
Authorities from the Anti‑Corruption Bureau (ACB) and local police have seized medical equipment from the centre and are scrutinising hospital records. While an FIR names the PPP operator and management for negligence, Sharma is expected to be booked on charges including impersonation, fraud, causing grievous harm, and wrongful death.
Accountability in Focus
This scandal has spotlighted systemic vulnerabilities in credential and identity verification, especially in Per Public‑Private Partnerships (PPPs). The hospital reportedly hired Sharma through private HR channels, distancing itself from government recruitment protocols. Haryana’s Director General of Health Services emphasized that recruitment oversight largely rested on private entities, exposing serious oversight gaps.
When questioned, hospital administration claimed they had “suspicions” and issued show‑cause notices regarding Sharma’s qualifications. He stopped attending work in February 2025, shortly after being confronted for documentation . The health department subsequently suspended funding and officially shut down the heart centre under regulatory probes.
Patient Safety & Reforms
The Health Ministry and local authorities have initiated a credential audit in partnership hospitals. Proposals include:
- Mandatory online verification of NMC registration and qualifications
- In‑person interviews with medical board oversight
- Random audits of hospital‑doctor credentials
- Tougher penalties for credential fraud
Legal experts argue this incident underscores a deeper menace threatening patient safety across India’s healthcare system—particularly in unregulated private hospital settings. Advocacy groups are calling for better monitoring of PPPs and patient grievance systems.
Broader Context & Precedence
According to the Indian Express, the investigation confirms Sharma was only a general practitioner—never qualified to perform cardiac procedures. This episode mirrors a similar fraud in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district, where a fake cardiologist caused at least seven deaths over several years.
This alarming revelation calls attention to urgent reforms—strengthening hospitals’ vetting protocols, tightening government oversight, and safeguarding patients from potentially fatal deceptions.