Fake doctor 'Chotka Rahman' arrested in Assam's Dhubri after health department verifies credentials

A man accused of practising Ayurvedic medicine without valid credentials was arrested in Assam's Dhubri district after a joint operation by the health department and police, officials said on Sunday, September 13.

The accused, identified as Chotka Rahman, a native of Cooch Behar in West Bengal, was allegedly running an unregistered pharmacy near Dhubri Medical College and Hospital and practising medicine without the required credentials.

The action followed a verification operation conducted by health officials led by Jyoti Kumar Das, Joint Director of Health Services, Dhubri. Officials said the operation was based on specific inputs regarding Rahman's medical practice.

"We launched an operation based on specific inputs and apprehended the individual who was practising without valid credentials," Dr Das said.

The development came days after Rahman lodged a complaint with Dhubri Police alleging that four local journalists had confronted him at his chamber and demanded Rs 3 lakh.

According to the complaint, Rahman allegedly paid Rs 20,000 in cash and transferred another Rs 65,000 through PhonePe, claiming he did so out of fear for his safety. Dhubri Police subsequently arrested the four media personnel in connection with the alleged extortion attempt.

The case, however, took a new turn after the health department initiated verification of Rahman's credentials and found that he was allegedly practising without valid authorisation.

Following the health department's findings, police took Rahman into custody. Legal proceedings against him are underway, while the investigation into the alleged extortion case registered at Dhubri Sadar Police Station is also continuing.

Authorities are now examining the circumstances surrounding Rahman's alleged medical practice and the operation of the unregistered pharmacy.