Mumbai: Cops arrest women involved in fake medical certificate case

Police identified culprits using CCTV footage from the hospital. File pic

The Malvani police have arrested two women involved in filing a false FIR under IPC 326 based on a fabricated medical report obtained from Shatabdi Hospital. While the culprit responsible for preparing the fraudulent medical report has been identified through the hospital's CCTV footage, he remains at large. Senior Police Inspector Chimaji Adhav of Malvani police station announced that IPC Section 326, falsely included in the FIR, will be removed, while other IPC Sections, including 354, 323, 324, 509, 143, 147, and 149 will remain intact.

The two women, aged 28 and 35, and their associates were booked last week for presenting the fake medical report. The duo was arrested on Tuesday and presented before the Borivli Metropolitan Magistrate Court, where they were remanded to police custody till February 9.

Case history

The Malvani police initially booked seven individuals for assaulting and molesting two women in Malvani's Azmi Nagar locality on November 29, 2023. The incident stemmed from a confrontation between the complainant's family and their neighbours, resulting in an alleged assault with bamboo rods, fists, kicks, and "violations of modesty".

Following a medical examination at Shatabdi hospital, a report indicated a woman's finger had been fractured. Acting on her complaint, the duty officer registered a case against the seven accused, leading to the arrest of one person on the same day, while the remaining six obtained anticipatory bail.

During the investigation, PSI Nanasaheb Ghadge requested a detailed medical report from the hospital to compile the charge sheet. However, a discrepancy was discovered by Dr Amay Thavre, who revealed that while the handwriting on the front page of the case paper belonged to him, the details on the back page did not. This discrepancy, including the mention of a fracture, prompted protests from the accused. Subsequently, a case was registered against the two women and their associates under multiple charges.

Police Speaks

Senior PI Adhav stated that the case was assigned to beat officer PSI M A Devershi, who reviewed the hospital's CCTV footage and identified the culprit responsible for fabricating the medical certificate. But despite the identification, the culprit remains at large. "Individuals misleading the police with false medical cases and fabricated reports will not escape punishment," he added.