Illegal transfer of property: Doctor given no breather

Illegal transfer of property: Doctor given no breather

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: The Madras high court on Wednesday confirmed an order passed by the Tamil Nadu medical council suspending the licence of a Coimbatore-based doctor who issued a false medical fitness certificate and aided illegal alienation of property worth ₹ 50 crore to his son-in-law.

“The facts are not only glaring but blatantly shocking. Justice is not blind; her blindfolds only represent impartiality. It is the duty of the court to make sure that the scales are always balanced,” Justice R Mahadevan said.

The court passed the order while dismissing a plea moved by doctor S Radhakrishnan challenging the suspension of his licence to practice for two years.

The issue pertains to a complaint preferred by S Shri Subhita, daughter of N Pitchaimani (since deceased) whose properties were alienated to the son-inlaw of the petitioner.

According to the complaint, the alienation was executed based on the medical fitness certificate issued by

Radhakrishnan dated October 8, 2015, certifying that her father was fit, sane and conscious enough to execute the alienation.

The petitioner said that during the said period her father was admitted in a private hospital and was not conscious and sane enough to understand and execute any legal document.

Based on her complaint, the disciplinary committee of the medical council conducted an inquiry and passed an order dated May 4, 2021, suspending the licence of Radhakrishnan.

Challenging the suspension, Radhakrishnan contended that there was undue delay in preferring the complaint. He added that the council merely placed reliance on uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations of the complainant.

The court, however, said, “This court is firm that where the circumstances so warrant, erring medical professionals such as the petitioner must be dealt with in a manner known to law and no misplaced lenience can be shown to such professionals. ”