The Fatal Cost of Deception: Unqualified Practitioners Arrested After Botched C-Section in Uttar Pradesh

AMBEDKAR NAGAR, UP — A 28-year-old woman is dead and two men are in custody following a horrific instance of medical impersonation in rural Uttar Pradesh. On February 5, 2026, Priyanka, the wife of Sandeep Kumar Verma, lost her life after an unauthorized caesarean section was performed by a BA graduate and a high school student at an unregistered clinic in the Baskhari area. The incident has reignited a national debate over the “quackery pandemic” that continues to claim lives in India’s underserved regions.

A Surgery Without Surgeons

The victim was admitted to Navjeevan Hospital for childbirth, believing she was in the care of medical professionals. Instead, the procedure was allegedly performed by Yogesh Verma (32), a BA graduate, and Shubham Vishwakarma (19), a Class 12 student.

While a baby girl was successfully delivered, the mother never recovered. According to police reports, Priyanka suffered catastrophic hemorrhaging following the administration of anesthesia and failed to regain consciousness. She was rushed to facilities in Akbarpur and eventually Lucknow, but was pronounced dead en route.

Investigations revealed a chilling lack of qualification:

• Yogesh Verma claimed his “expertise” came from observing his father, a ward boy at a local Community Health Center.

• Shubham Vishwakarma reportedly learned by watching local surgeries as an assistant.

• The Cost: The duo charged between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 for the surgery—a fraction of the cost at licensed private hospitals—deliberately targeting low-income families.

Following a joint inspection on February 8, authorities found the “hospital” consisted of four rooms in a residential building. It lacked registration, fire safety clearances, and biomedical waste authorization. The facility has since been sealed, and an FIR has been lodged under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

The Broader Crisis: India’s “Quackery” Epidemic

This tragedy is not an isolated incident. It highlights a persistent structural failure in rural healthcare where unlicensed practitioners, often called “quacks,” fill the void left by a shortage of MBBS-qualified doctors.

In Uttar Pradesh alone, unauthorized practitioners reportedly outnumber registered medical professionals in several districts. Similar cases have haunted the state in recent years:

• 2021 (Sultanpur): A Class 8 dropout performed a C-section using razor blades, killing both the mother and newborn.

• 2025 (Barabanki): A patient died after an intoxicated practitioner attempted surgery guided by a YouTube tutorial.

According to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Section 15 of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, strictly prohibits anyone not listed on the State Medical Register from practicing modern medicine. Yet, enforcement remains a “cat-and-mouse game” where clinics are sealed only to reopen under a different name months later.

Expert Perspectives: Why Does This Persist?

The Regulatory Void

“We are committed to a complete crackdown on these illegal setups,” says Dr. Sanjay Kumar Shaiwal, Chief Medical Officer of Ambedkar Nagar. “However, the challenge is the lack of visible identifiers. In the Navjeevan case, there wasn’t even a signboard indicating the hospital’s registration status.”

The Medical Risk

Public health experts emphasize that a C-section is a major intra-abdominal surgery requiring specialized training.

“A caesarean section demands precision to manage the high risk of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and sepsis,” explains a spokesperson from the Journal of Community Health Research. “When an unqualified person performs this, they lack the skill to stop a bleed or manage anesthetic complications, making death almost a statistical certainty.”

The IMA’s Stance

The Indian Medical Association has long argued against the “bridge courses” or notifications that allow practitioners of alternative medicine (AYUSH) to prescribe allopathic drugs, arguing it blurs the lines for the public. “Only those with a recognized medical degree and registration can practice allopathy. Anything else is a gamble with human life,” noted former IMA officials in past safety campaigns.

Public Health Implications and Practical Advice

The reliance on uncertified rural practitioners (URPs) is driven by three factors: proximity, perceived affordability, and a lack of health literacy.

For families like Priyanka’s, the low price tag proved fatal. For the public health system, these incidents contribute to India’s maternal mortality rate—which stands at approximately 97 per 100,000 live births (WHO data)—and erode trust in formal medical institutions.

How to Stay Safe:

To avoid the “quackery trap,” patients and families should take the following steps:

1. Verify Registration: Check for a valid Registration Certificate from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) prominently displayed in the clinic.

2. Verify Credentials: Patients have the right to ask for a doctor’s Registration Number and check it against the National Medical Commission (NMC) website.

3. Use Government Schemes: Utilize Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) for free or subsidized care at verified, empanelled hospitals rather than seeking “cheap” unauthorized clinics.

4. Report Suspicious Activity: If a clinic lacks qualified staff or proper hygiene, report it to the local CMO office immediately.

The Path Forward: Stronger Laws or Better Access?

The current penalties for practicing medicine without a license remain outdated, often involving minor fines that fail to act as a deterrent. While the National Medical Commission (NMC) is pushing for more ethical oversight, critics argue that until the shortage of rural doctors is addressed, quackery will continue to thrive.

As Uttar Pradesh intensifies its district-wide credential verifications, the death of Priyanka serves as a somber reminder that in the absence of stringent regulation, the most vulnerable pay the ultimate price for “affordable” care.

Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making any health-related decisions or changes to your treatment plan. The information presented here is based on current research and expert opinions, which may evolve as new evidence emerges.

References

• https://medicaldialogues.in/news/health/doctors/ba-graduate-class-12-student-arrested-for-illegal-c-section-after-womans-death-164858