A retired doctor from Latur has alleged that Maharashtra Medical Council (MMC) has reopened as many as 658 cases registered against doctors dating between 1989-2009, while the MMC guideline says that a case should be dealt with and disposed in maximum six-months time. A case was registered against Dr S.S. Bhise — who has alleged harassment by MMC — in 1994 and Bhise received a notice from the MMC in 1997. “Following an enquiry and civil court hearing I was given a clean chit by the department and acquitted by the court as well,” narrated Dr Bhise. However, Dr Bhise was again served a notice in the beginning of September this year.
In the reply to the RTI filed by Dr Bhise it was revealed that MMC has opened as many as 658 cases dating back to 1989-2009. “The MMC rulebook states that a case must be dealt with and disposed in six months time,” said Dr Bhise.
Dr Kishore Taori, president of MMC, said, “We sought legal opinion as to what should be done with so many old cases. We were advised that the cases just cannot be discarded. They must be duly resolved and disposed. It is for the benefit of doctors so that they can have clean record once the cases are cleared in a proper legal manner. And, in case of those who have been acquitted they have been acquitted if sent a notice then it will be withdrawn.”