Mumbai Crime: Fake Orthopaedic Doctor Arrested After 24-Year-Old Delivery Executive’s Spinal Condition Worsens Due To Wrong Treatment

Mumbai: A 24-year-old online food delivery Worker, Avinash Samindar, has filed a complaint against self-proclaimed orthopaedic doctor Atul Wankhede at the Worli police station, alleging that incorrect treatment worsened his spinal condition.

Based on the complaint and supporting evidence, the Worli police registered an FIR on April 23 against Wankhede under sections 351(2), 340(2), 339, 338, 337, 336(4), 336(3), 336(2),336(1), 318, 316(4), 316(2) of BNS. He was arrested the same day and produced before a court, which remanded him to judicial custody, according to deputy police commissioner Dattatray Kamble.

According to the complaint, Samindar was suffering from back pain since 2016 and approached Dr. Wankhede in November 2024 after finding his details online. Instead of prescribing proper medication or diagnostic tests, Wankhede advised exercise and gave him a painkiller despite Samindar’s worsening condition. Following this, Samindar’s spinal pain intensified.

Samindar, residing at Harijan Vijay Co-op Housing Society in Chembur, then lodged a complaint against Wankhade, accusing him of impersonating an orthopaedic specialist and conducting unauthorized medical treatments. The complaint led to the registration of an FIR and the subsequent arrest of the accused.

Saminder said he has been suffering from spinal issues since 2016-17 and had consulted various doctors. In November 2024, upon experiencing severe back pain, he sought an online appointment with Dr. Atul Wankhede, who was listed as being affiliated with Nanavati Hospital.

During consultation on November 19, 2024, the doctor allegedly dismissed the need for medication, advising only exercise, but later gave him a single painkiller following which his condition worsened.

Concerned, he approached his friend Ashok Kamble, who upon reviewing Avinash’s medical reports and researching the doctor, informed him that Dr. Wankhede was allegedly using a fake orthopaedics degree. Kamble claimed to have known Prithviraj Bhatia, whose Juhu flat address was allegedly misused by Wankhede to obtain various documents like an Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, and driving licence. It was further alleged that Dr. Wankhede continued to use this address even after Bhatia’s ex-wife, Suparna Mukherjee, vacated the flat in March 2021.

The complainant also claimed that Wankhede had issued threats to Bhatia and his daughter when confronted. Further inquiries revealed that Wankhede had a history of similar allegations dating back to 2015.

According to documents obtained from the Maharashtra Medical Education Council and communication with relevant officials, including Director Dinesh Waghmare, Dr. Wankhede is not a legitimate holder of a Master of Orthopaedics degree from KEM Hospital, Pune, as claimed.

Based on this information, Saminder, with support from Ashok Kamble and Prithviraj Bhatia, filed a complaint at Worli Police Station following which he was arrested.