Pune: A doctor couple from Dehu Road has been accused of defrauding five individuals of ₹41 lakh under the guise of setting up a medical store and pathology lab at a local hospital.

The suspects have been identified as Dr. Manish Nagesh Doifode and his wife Pooja Manish Doifode, are currently facing charges filed by the Dehu Road Police.

Vijay Dattu Mahadik (34), a resident of New Sangvi, filed a complaint with the Dehu Road Police. The incidents have been ongoing from November 2022 until now. Based on Mahadik's complaint, the police have registered a case against the couple, Manish Nagesh Doifode and Pooja Manish Doifode.

According to the information provided by the police, Shubhshree Multi-Specialty Hospital is located in Dehu Road, operated by Dr. Manish Doifode.

Dr. Doifode convinced the complainant and Satish Mahajan that the hospital, with 36 beds and modern facilities, was ideally located near the main road, promising a thriving business. On this basis, he took ₹11 lakh from the complainant for setting up a medical store, thereby defrauding him.

Similarly, he took ₹11 lakh from Shubham Baburao Harane for another medical store, ₹6 lakh from Rohan Santosh Nimble for setting up a pathology lab, ₹10 lakh from Pravin Roshan Navale for another pathology lab, and ₹3 lakh from Siddharth Sanjay Baral for a medical store, bringing the total fraud amount to ₹41 lakh.

Police Sub-Inspector Solanke is investigating the case against the doctors.