The city police on Wednesday arrested two more fake doctors, one from Thoppumpady and the other from Elamakkara.
Arun Kumar, 35, who operated Dhanwantiri clinic at Thoppumpady, and Prabhash Tikkadar, 34, who ran Maa Clinic at Market Road, Elamakkara, were arrested. Both fake doctors are natives of West Bengal. Police had on Tuesday arrested another West Bengal native from Pachalam who claimed to have treatment for piles and fistula.
Police said Arun Kumar had been living near the clinic with his family for the past five years. He claimed to have treatment for piles and fistula. Police said he had no medical education or licence and had even failed his pre-degree examinations. “The medicine he gave was a mix of ghee, soda, and maida. Interestingly, he even claimed his medicine had cured some patients,” said a police officer. Police said it may have been because of the stigma surrounding piles that patients did not come forward to report the fake doctor. The arrest was made following a tip-off. Police said Arum Kumar had practised at Pala before he came to Kochi.
Prabhash Tikkadar, who lived at Edappally, was arrested on similar grounds. Police said claimed to have been using a traditional medicine for piles and fistula. He allegedly gave an ointment to patients claiming it would cure them. Police said Prabhash had only a Class XII education. He had been operating here from 2011 onwards.
