Rajkot: The Gujarat Medical Council has suspended the licence of Dr. Manoj Sida of Samarpan Hospital in the city in connection with an alleged ₹40 lakh insurance fraud involving fabricated medical documents. The action follows allegations of Dr. Sida’s role in issuing misleading medical reports in the case.

Rashmikant Patel, Managing Director of Phoenix Assurance, a third-party auditing agency, had approached the Gujarat Medical Council, alleging that doctors Manoj Sida and Mehul Solanki of Samarpan Hospital had issued misleading reports.

After reviewing the complaint, the Council convened on April 11 and decided to suspend Dr. Sida’s licence until he appears before the committee, the inquiry is completed, or a new order is passed. He has been barred from practicing in Gujarat and must surrender his original registration certificate to the Council.

Earlier this month, Rajkot police had arrested five individuals in this case, including Mayur Chhuchhar, who allegedly attempted to claim ₹40 lakh under a health insurance policy by faking paralysis. His physiotherapist, Dr. Ankit Kathrani, was also arrested for allegedly assisting in preparing false documents. Other arrests included Bhavik Makad, a hospital employee; Hitesh Ravaiya; and Himanshu Rathod, a lab technician.

The fraudulent claim unraveled when insurance investigators found inconsistencies in the medical reports, such as conflicting diagnoses and a radiology report bearing a signature without a radiologist’s name. Chhuchhar was later seen running his tea stall and riding a motorcycle, contradicting his claim of being paralyzed. The incident took place in 2024, and a formal FIR was filed at Gandhigram police station earlier this month. DeshGujarat