Ahmedabad: The Gujarat high court has sought a response from the Gujarat Medical Council (GMC) and the National Medical Commission (NMC) over a petition filed by Khyati Multispecialty Hospital‘s medical director, Dr Sanjay Patolia. He is challenging the GMC’s decision to cancel his medical registration for three years without conducting a mandatory inquiry.
The GMC suspended Dr Patolia’s medical registration for three years, along with a couple of other doctors, for their alleged involvement in the angioplasty procedures at Khyati Hospital, which resulted in the death of two patients last Nov. These surgeries were allegedly unwarranted and performed to get the benefits of the PM-JAY scheme. The city crime branch filed an investigation report in this regard, indicting Patolia and others.
Before the high court, Patolia contended that there was no allegation against him in the FIR. In his absence, the GMC called for an explanation from his wife, who informed the council that all the related documents were seized by the investigating officer. He was arrested on Dec 4, 2024, and since then, he has been behind bars. The reply to the GMC’s notices was filed by his wife. He claimed that he was never given an opportunity for a hearing.
He further contended that he is a bariatric surgeon and had nothing to do with the angioplasty. There are bariatric hospitals in the city and in Rajkot that are registered in his name. With the suspension of his registration, these hospitals will be closed down.
It was contended that the GMC did not follow the procedure of holding a formal inquiry before removing his name from the register. Instead, his wife was called to respond to the notices in his absence. The doctor has sought interim relief in the form of a stay on the GMC order during the pendency of his petition.
After the preliminary hearing, Justice Aniruddha Mayee did not stay the GMC’s decision and ordered, “Issue notice and notice on interim relief returnable on May 5, 2025.”