Pune: A bogus doctor, who has been operating under the name "Janseva Clinic" in the Pandavdand area of Kadamwakvasti for the past five years, was charged by Loni Kalbhor police on Friday, July 11.

The accused, Prakash Ranganath Torane (63), currently residing in Kadamwakvasti, Haveli, originally from Padegaon, Shrirampur, Nagar district, has been named in the complaint filed by Dr. Rupali Raghunathrao Bhangale (38) of Kalepadal, Hadapsar, Pune.

According to the police, Dr. Rupali Bhangale works as a medical officer at the Loni Kalbhor Primary Health Center.

On Thursday, she received a call from Dr. Suresh Gore, Taluka Health Officer of Haveli, informing her that Prakash Torane was in possession of medical equipment and medicines without a valid license and was pretending to be a doctor at Janseva Clinic in the Pandavdand area of Kadamwakvasti.

To verify this information, Dr. Mahesh Waghmare, Dr. Rupali Bhangale, and Community Health Officer Dr. Manoj Ubre, accompanied by the Loni Kalbhor police, visited the location.

When questioned about his credentials and the required certificate from the Maharashtra Council of Medicine, Torane gave evasive answers. Further investigation revealed that Torane lacked any formal medical qualifications or degrees. He admitted to charging patients fees ranging from 75 to 100 rupees each.

The police confiscated the medical equipment and medicines from Torane and sealed the clinic. Prakash Torane has been charged with defrauding citizens by operating a bogus clinic for the past five years.

Assistant Police Inspector Kishor Pawar of Loni Kalbhor Police Station is leading the investigation.